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“HELLO!'’ 
(Page 78) 


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AN 


ODD LITTLE LASS 


H Stors for (5lrl0 


“V 

JESSIE E. WRIGHT 

Author of “ Philip Leicester," etc. ** ^ 


ILLUSTRATED BY IDA WAUGH 
W 



THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 
PHILADELPHIA MDCCCXCVIII 



9317 


Copyright 1898 by The Penn Publishing Company 





TWO COPIt^REGtlVED. 

^ 'D 


2n'; 


’ I 


i898. 


CONTENTS 


CHAP. page 

I Walnut Court 7 

II A Good Beginning 17 

III An Unlucky Feast 35 

IV At The Home 41 

V Aunt Jane 61 

VT Brookline 70 

VII A Nice Little Tailor 87 

VIII The Rowleys 94 

IX Frank 108 

X A Red-Letter Bay 123 

XI A Day’s Outing 136 

XII Bob, Harry, and Wii.dfire 155 

XIII A Bad Hour 175 

XIV Preparations 189 

XV Christmas Day 206 

XVI The Visit of the Tramp . . . . ‘ 223 

XVII Real Rowley Pluck ... • 236 

XVIII A Call on the Matron 254 

XIX A Telegram 269 

XX A Risky Plan 286 

XXI In Indianapolis-.- 302 

XXII Home Again 321 

XXITI An Investigation 336 

XXIV A Real Rowley 350 


V 











AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


CHAPTER I 

WALNUT COURT 

Now who’d you s’pose she is ? What yon 
s’pose she gave us this for 

The boy addressed, a rather thin, solemn-faced 
little fellow of about ten, shook his head doubt- 
fully, but continued looking alternately at the 
alert young lady disappearing in the crowd, and 
at the five-cent piece she had smilingly bestowed 
on Lonnie. 

Well,” said Lonnie, decisively, we’ll go 
straight and spend it this very minute before 
anybody gets it. Licorish ?” 

Yep,” assented Ted, his face lighting up, 

7 


8 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


and the two ran to the small grocery store 
steadily patronized by the Walnut Court infants 
in their times of plenty. 

Lonnie was the one who had attracted the 
young lady with the five-ceiit piece. She was 
a child very likely to attract any one who 
cared for pretty children. There were shilling 
bronze and golden lights in her curly hair, her 
brown eyes snapped with fun, or gazed up at 
one with a somewhat misleading expression of 
innocence. City born and bred, her cheeks had 
the color of a wild rose, and she would have 
been regarded as a credit to the most hygienic 
upbringing — something that had never fallen 
to her lot. Her pretty little mouth had a way 
of uttering injmdence which won nothing but 
applause, partly because she was quite small 
for her age, and partly because an instinct of 
self-preservation taught her when she had gone 
far enough. 

Ever since Lonnie could remember she had 
lived with Ted’s mother. She had worn clothes 
as warm, and had had as good food as Ted, 


WALNUT COURT 


9 


or as the other children in their neighborhood. 
Allowing for the willfulness of her disposition 
she had received no more ill-treatment than 
Ted. In many ways she had so far seemed the 
favorite one, for when it became necessary to Mrs. 
Lakin to show a comfortable, healthy, pretty 
child, Lonnie was all that could be desired. 

Honest and kindly women with little girls of 
their own, in the various courts and alleys where 
Mrs. Lakin temporarily sojourned, shook their 
heads doubtfully over the future prospects of 
Lonnie. She’s too bright by half,” they would 
say, and no bringin’ up.” Ted was so unobtru- 
sive, and spoke up so nicely when he was spoken 
to, that a far more favorable opinion was enter- 
tained of his moral qualities. His mother usually 
sent him to school, but he hated to go. He was 
a sensitive little fellow, and his clothes never 
suited his ideas of what was fitting. He was 
bright enough and did well in school when he 
went, but he was so incorrigibly tardy and so 
given to absence that he was far from being a 
favorite with any of bis teachers. But Lonnie, 


10 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


in the short intervals when she had attended a 
kindergarten or a primary school, though gen- 
erally showing a skill amounting to genius for 
avoiding all duties, had won the interested at- 
tention of her teachers. 

The two children, liberally supplied with the 
black succulent sticks they had purchased, re- 
turned to the doorstep in Walnut Court nearest 
Cambridge Street. 

‘‘Why don't you talk, Lonnie?” said Ted, 
astonished at the unaccustomed silence of his 
companion. 

I was thinking about that lady. Now 
wasn't she a nice lady ! She didn't look like a 
Cambridge Street lady, she looked like a Back 
Bay lady. Didn't she have, on a pretty dress 
and hat?” 

“Yes, she did. But she wasn't your kind of 
a lady.” 

“What you mean?” said Lonnie, hotly. 

“ I meant what I said,” and Ted spoke with 
the air of a philosopher long accustomed to 
pondering on the deep things of life. 


WALNUT COURT 


11 


“ She was a nice, quiet sort of a lady, that 
liked nice sort of things — the way I do,’’ with a 
teasing glance at Lonnie, and you’re all in 
for rows and that sort of thing.” 

You’re a mean, horrid boy !” flamed Lonnie, 
“ and after I gave you all that licorish !” 

‘‘It’s so, just the same. You’re always the 
very flrst in a stir-around and helping keep 
everybody by the ears.” 

“ I wouldn’t have any good times at all if I 
didn’t. It’s just because I can do those ways 
that your mother don’t beat me all the time,” 
said Lonnie defensively. 

Ted shrugged his shoulders. “Anyway, it’s 
what I said ; that lady’s difierent.” 

“ How do you know ?” 

“ Oh, I know. I watch people a lot.” 

“ You’re no good yourself ; you don’t like to 
go to school.” 

“ I wish I never had to go inside that school 
again, nor any school !” 

After that Ted seemed to prefer the bitterness 
of his own reflections, for he would talk no 


12 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


more, and Lonnie found herself obliged to do 
what she did as seldom as possible — to think. 
She hated to think. To sit on a step the way 
Ted did and think was abhorrent to her. 
Action was more in her line. 

Now she felt very uncomfortable. She was 
so cloyed with licorice that there was no more 
pleasure to be had in that quarter. Ted re- 
fused to talk. The court seemed to be singu- 
larly empty of available children. 

Depressing incidents came crowding into her 
mind. Lately she had begun to feel uneasy 
with Mrs. Lakin ; and down in her heart she 
was ashamed of what the Walnut Court neigh- 
bors said of her noisy little ways. 

She determined to go somewhere at once so 
that she could stop thinking. She could go 
down to the Charles River bridge and watch 
the wagons, and drays, and boats, and the Back 
Bay houses black against the sunset, and the 
steady sweep of the river. But she knew it 
would be chilly waiting for the sunset this late 
October day down on the bridge. 


WALNUT COUET 


13 


She could go up any one of those steep streets 
past the State House and down to the Common 
to the Frog Pond. Somebody would be sure 
to be sailing a boat there. On the whole, that 
was the best, and Ted liked to go to the Com- 
mon. He would sit mooning on that step until 
dark if she didn’t get him to do something. 

‘‘ Ted, come on ; let’s go to the Common.” 

‘‘ Too far.” 

‘‘ Oh, pshaw ! come on !” 

‘‘ Too late.” 

’Tis not ; come on !” 

And after sufficient persuasion, to which they 
were both well accustomed, the two children, 
with their licorice-smeared faces and hands, 
started off to the Common. 

Where would you live, Ted, if you could ?” 
asked Lonnie. 

Well, I wouldn’t live down here, sure,” was 
the unexpected lively response. “ I don’t like 
so much noise, and talk, and goings on. I’d live 
where it was pretty, and quiet, and everything 


nice. 


14 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


My ! Walnut Court's too quiet to suit me. 
I'd like to live where something was going on 
all the time." 

‘‘ What kind of goings on ?" 

Oh ! parades, and processions, and funerals, 
and accidents, and the police patrol — every- 
thing!" 

I like parades, but I don't like none of the 
other things." 

Ted, do you suppose that pretty lady will go 
by any more ?" 

I never saw her before." 

Me neither, but she looked as if she knew 
where she was going." 

What would you do if you saw her again, 
Lonnie ? Ask her for another five cents ?" 

“No, I'd ask her where she lived." 

“ She wouldn't tell you for fear you'd come 
and bother her." 

“ Then I'd ask her what kind of a lady she 
was." 

“ She wouldn't know what you meant." 

They reached the Common and amused them- 


WALNUT COURT 


15 


selves at tlie Frog Pond until Lonnie, still 
thirsting for excitement, induced Ted to go with 
her to Tremont Street. 

‘‘ I like to hear Tom and all the boys hollerin' 
their papers. Why don't you sell papers, 
Ted ?" 

No license." 

Why don't you get a license ?" 

‘‘ No money." 

“ Well, these boys can. Why can't you ?" 

‘‘ Oh, I don't seem to be in such a rush 
someway. Mother says I needn't to sell 'em 
anyway." 

“But you could get money and buy good 
clothes to go to school in." 

Lonnie could always touch the quick ; her 
aim was sure, she never missed. 

“I'd like that, sure." 

They stood idly by the fountain when a con- 
fused noise arose, different from the accustomed 
noise of the street. 

“ Thief, I guess !" shouted Lonnie, ecstat- 
ically, starting for the gathering crowd. 


16 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Accident cried Ted, rapidly following. 

The excitement was about over when the 
children reached the spot. The crowd was dis- 
persing and the wagon was just rounding the 
next corner. 

What was it?” asked Lonnie, eagerly, of a 
newsboy. He looked at the dirty little flushed 
face and laughed. 

“ Accident. Didn’t you see it was the am- 
bulance ?” 

‘‘ Wish we’d got here sooner,” rejoined Lon- 
nie. Who was it ?” 

A woman. Couldn’t seem to get out of the 
way of a wagon, and was run down, and got 
her leg broke, I guess. They took her to the 
hospital.” 

Wish we’d been here ! Come on, Ted, it’s 
gettin’ cold. Let’s go on home.” 


CHAPTEE II 


A GOOD BEGINNING 

The children were very slow about going 
home, and when they reached there they found 
Walnut Court in a commotion. 

Immediately at the sight of the two cold, 
tired, and dirty cliildren, loud expressions of 
sympathy were heard. 

The poor little things Pll supper ’em.’’ 

Ted can sleep with my Tom.” I’m willin’ 
to do for Ted while his mother’s down, but I 
won’t have Lonnie around.” Me neither, she’s 
too lively, poor child !” 

It took but a very short time, indeed, for 
Lonnie to comprehend the situation. Mrs. 
Lakin had met with an accident in Tremont 
Street, and had been taken to the hospital. 
Her leg was broken, and it would probably be 
some time before she was around. To add to 
2 17 


18 


AN Oi)D LITTLE LASS 

the confusion the tenement agent had happened 
to be in the building, and as Mrs. Lakin was 
already owing him two months’ rent and under 
notice to leave, he claimed jDOssession of the 
rooms. The furniture, such as it was, had been 
received by two or three neighbors for safe- 
keeping, and Ted and Lonnie had ajipeared in 
time to keep up the excitement. 

That nearly all the neighbors were willing to 
take Ted until his mother was better was very 
evident, but to her discomfiture Lonnie per- 
ceived that no one was willing to have her. It 
was dififtcult for her to believe — as she had 
always supposed that she was a far superior person 
to Ted, and in every way more desirable. She 
had always received more attention and compli- 
ments in ten minutes than Ted would receive 
in a month — and now no one wanted her. 

'‘She’s bright, and she’s pretty, poor little 
thing, but I won’t have her with my children.” 

"And I won’t have her, though I have no 
children ; she’d drive me crazy.” 

"Well, I don’t want her goin’ along the street 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


19 


drinkin’ the milk out of my pitcher, I can tell 
you!’’ . 

“ She’s too flyabout for me to put up with !” 

‘‘ Well, friends, she’s no kin to Mrs. Lakin,” 
said one woman, ‘‘ and we all know Mrs. Lakin 
has no right to have her to her hurt. Now’s the 
time to help matters. I can make out to kee]3 
her over night, and if some of you’ll mind my 
Benny to-morrow. I’ll take her down to the 
Associates, and get her into a Home, or some- 
wheres, and we’ll be rid of her, and she’ll be 
better off a heap than with Mrs. Lakin.” 

Lonnie had been angry enough to cry for 
some time past. Slie never had liked Mrs. 
Cook, because Mrs. Cook had not admired her, 
and because she would not let her ])\aj with 
Bennie, and now Mrs. Cook was the only one 
to offer any help. 

Lonnie, with lightning rapidity, thought of 
the various things she might do on this occa- 
. sion. She might scream ; that was what she 
preferred ; but her unfailing instinct told her 
that screaming at that moment would only 


20 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


bring down more disapproval upon her unlucky 
head. She could fuss and refuse to go with 
Mrs. Cook; but that was useless, worse than 
useless. So she went very quietly, repressing a 
sob, to Mrs. Cook’s side, and, to her astonish- 
ment, received a smile of encouragement from 
that well-meaning woman. 

It was so late that every one felt it necessary 
to get within doors as soon as possible. 

Ted went with Tom, more taken up in the 
first excitement with his own change of location 
than with his mother’s misfortune. 

Mrs. Cook led Lonnie to her rooms, the pret- 
tiest and neatest in the court, and congratulated 
herself that she would surely be rid of the child 
by the next noon. Lonnie was already wonder- 
ing if she could in any way escape that terrible 
sentence of a Home. When they entered the 
room Bennie was roaring lustily ; the neighbor’s 
child, who had promised to stay with him, had 
left him, and he did not like his OAvn exclusive 
company. Mrs. Cook’s face lengthened ; there 
she was with Bennie in a temper, and the table 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


21 


not set, and little sign of supper to appease her 
husband’s annoyance when he should find Lon- 
nie there, and Lonnie disgracefully dirty. 

‘‘ There, take the basin and wash your face any- 
way, if you know how.” Then she picked up 
the struggling two-year-old and tried to make 
a start at setting the table. 

Lonnie perceived the dilemma with real in- 
terest.. She washed herself as quickly and as 
well as she possibly could, and left things in the 
sink as she found them. Then in her pleasantest 
tones, — and never had a child a sweeter voice 
than Lonnie, — she said she could amuse Bennie. 

Mrs. Cook set him down on the floor, expect- 
ing to be rewarded by a still louder scream ; but 
Lonnie was ready for him ; and in less than a 
minute his voice rang out with a shout of 
laughter. Mrs. Cook’s face brightened and her 
table setting and her supper sped along rapidly, 
so that by the time her husband came home 
things looked more comfortable than usual, 
Bennie was happy instead of fretting as he gen- 
erally did at that time in the evening, and Mrs. 


22 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Cook, as a natural consequence, was minus her 
customary expression of weariness. The Walnut 
Court doings were detailed and listened to with 
relish as Mrs. Cook put on the supper, so that 
Lonnie took her place at the table beside Bennie 
somewhat with the air of the heroine of a trag- 
edy. She did not permit even the mention of 
that despised Home to make her scowl, and she 
proved so entertaining to Bennie at the various 
crises of his meal that that function passed off 
without the ordinary uiDheaval. 

Supper over, Mrs. Cook’s face again clouded. 
If Bennie was not very soon put to bed he would 
begin his nightly uproar, and if she left the 
supper dishes standing things looked so mussy 
her husband didn’t like it, and if she did the 
dishes and asked her husband to undress Ben- 
nie, he would acquiesce in such an injured way 
that she would feel depressed the whole even- 
ing. 

I can clear up and do the dishes. I saw 
where you got everything,” said Lonnie, ‘‘ I can 
do it good.” 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


23 


‘^You’re too little/’ said Mrs. Cook, looking 
doubtfully at the bit of a child. 

“ Oh, I can do it !” 

You’ll break things !” 

No, I won’t break a thing. I’ve been learned 
better.” 

Well, try it,” and Mrs. Cook sat down with 
a more comfortable feeling than she had expe- 
rienced for months, to undress Bennie and even 
to take time to play with him, and have him 
show his tricks to his father, who admired the 
boy very much when some one else was responsi- 
ble for him. 

Lonnie exercised the greatest judgment. She 
made as little noise as possible. The things 
she could not guess what to do with she placed 
in an unobtrusive row on the back of a table 
and covered. She rubbed her dishes until they 
shone and climbed on a chair to put them away 
in the dish closet. 

By the time Bennie was asleejD and Mr. Cook 
was dozing over his newspaper the dish depart- 
ment was so well arranged that it only took' 


24 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Mrs. Cook a very few minutes to finish up 
everything. 

‘‘You certainly are a mighty smart little 
girl ! Why don’t you act as good all the time ?” 

“ Mighty smart ” was a new phrase to Lonnie’s 
ears, and she meditated on it while she said she 
would be good all the time when anybody niade 
her. The answer seemed to Mrs. Cook to con- 
vey so delicate a compliment that she felt quite 
compassionate toward the child. 

That night, after Lonnie was sound asleej) in 
her improvised bed on the floor, Mrs. Cook 
asked her husband to look at her. 

“ Well, she is a pretty little thing,” he said. 
“I never noticed how pretty she was, though I 
knew she was sassy enough.” 

“She’s the most aggravating child in the 
court,” said Mrs. Cook, “ but it’s just wonderful 
how Bennie does take to her, and how good she 
can work ; must be nature, for I’m sure Mrs. 
Lakin wouldn’t actually show anybody decent 
ways.” 

“ I expect, now, if she had somebody like you 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


25 


to look after her she’d be a real nice child. If 
you want her to stay around to help you, and 
heed Bennie for a while, I sha’n’t mind.” 

‘‘ I always thought she was too naughty to be 
near Bennie, but perhaps she would do better,” 
and Mrs. Cook in turn thought longingly of 
the relief it would be to have somebody quiet 
that awful noise Bennie could make when he 
wanted her to play with him and she was 
obliged to sew or work. 

I can see how she does to-morrow. I s’pose 
I’m not obliged to trot her off first thing, like I 
planned.” 

The next morning when Lonnie woke, roused 
by Mrs. Cook moving around, she felt a supreme 
satisfaction at hearing the rain splashing against 
the window. 

If I’m useful as can be, I don’t believe she’ll 
take me to that Home in the rain,” and with 
notable care and dexterity she managed to pull 
her stockings on straight and get all her buttons 
buttoned ; her ablutions were quite searching, 
and her use of the fragment of comb unsparing. 


26 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘ Well, you do look real neat, to be sure!’’ 
ejaculated Mrs. Cook ; and folded up your bed- 
clothes, too. I don’t see why you don’t behave 
all the time when you know how so well. 
Folks would think a heap better of you.” 

Well, I mean to turn over a new leaf — be- 
ginning with Monday,” was the satisfied an- 
swer. I can set the table for you.” 

Then when Bennie called, his mother hastily 
brought him, wrapped in a shawl, to the 
kitchen stove, and Lonnie amused him instead 
of Mr. Cook being kept on the jump, to his 
disgust, while trying to dress himself; and be- 
tween Lonnie’s watching the biscuits, and stir- 
ring the potatoes, and wheedling Bennie, the 
little fellow was entirely dressed without the 
hand-to-hand scuffle that ordinarily took place 
before breakfast could be eaten. 

Lonnie’s tongue was of the rattling kind, 
but she was keeping it very silent ; . when it 
was impossible to prevent it entirely from 
breaking loose, she directed it with judg- 
ment. 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


27 


“ Bennie is the prettiest little boy in Boston, 
isn’t he !” 

How smart he is ! There isn’t another little 
boy in this street half so smart, and large, and 
nice as he is !” 

“ How good he is ! I just love him !” 

People did not ordinarily call Bennie good, 
and the words were as balm to Mrs. Cook’s soul, 
even though spoken by the good-for-nothing 
Lonnie. 

Bennie’s conduct was so much ameliorated, 
and the comfort of breakfast time so much im- 
proved in consequence by Lonnie’s fascinating 
ways of diverting him, that when Mr. Cook, 
dinner-pail in hand, started for his work he 
privately advised his wife to wait until the next 
day at least before taking Lonnie away. 

The neighbor who had agreed to take care 
of Bennie while Mrs. Cook went on her mission 
came to the door to see how soon she would 
start, and Lonnie, rocking Bennie to sleep in his 
basket cradle, listened with all her ears for the 
reply. 


28 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘Seeing as it’s raining, I thought if she 
didn’t make me trouble,” replied the cautious 
Mrs. Cook, knowing Lonnie could hear, “ I’d 
keep her till this afternoon or mayhap to- 
morrow.” 

“ It’s real good of you, I’m sure,” said the 
neighbor, “ and her so troublesome, too. I^hope 
she ain’t worried you all to death.” 

“ No ; she’s been very good — good as any 
child.” 

“ Do tell ! If she’d only be good she’d be a 
real help to some families, and be sure of a good 
home ; but nobody that knows her wants to try 
her. No, I can’t come in. Hope Bennie’s doing 
well. Good-by !” 

“ I’ll just show what I can do when it comes 
to bein’ useful,” thought Lonnie vindictively. 

Bennie was asleep and Mrs. Cook was prepar- 
ing to get out her umbrella and rubbers. 

' “ If you’re going to buy things you needn’t 
to go out in the rain. I can go all right. You 
tell me what you want, and you don’t have to 
write it down, nor nothing. I’ll get just what 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


29 


you want ; and Mrs. Lakin said I could buy 
better’ll she could.” 

After some discussion Mrs. Cook, who hated 
to go out in the rain, handed over her purse and 
her directions. 

‘‘Oh, do you pay money for your things?” 
asked Lonnie in astonishment. “ It’s easy 
enough to buy things with money !” 

The small messenger trudged forth and re- 
turned later, red-cheeked and smiling, with 
every purchase exactly right, the change right 
to a cent, and withal with a budget of the most 
entertaining items relative to the court, which 
passed away a good share of the morning in the 
detailing and commenting thereupon. 

“ Why, Lonnie, you’re real good company,” 
said Mrs. Cook as she looked at the clock ; “ I 
wouldn’t suppose you could be such a good 
talker ; that’s right, build up them blocks for 
Bennie ; he dearly loves to knock ’em down, 
and I must get his little coat finished.” 

“ It’s such a pretty coat. You must be a won- 
derful sewer,” ventured Lonnie. 


30 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“ I like to sew. I wish Bennie was a little 
girl, so I could teach him to sew. If I wasn’t 
going to take you away I’d make you a dress 
and some nice gingham aprons.” 

My ! I never had a new apron, I guess.” 

‘‘ It’s a pity you’ve acted so noisy since Mrs. 
Lakin came to live in the court, so as t6 turn 
everybody against you. You could have a good 
home if it wasn’t for that.” 

I had to do something. If somehody’d 
taught me to sew nice, and I’d had a new apron, 
p’r’aps I’d been nice.” 

Mrs. Cook smiled, but said nothing. 

Lonnie was ready to amuse the insatiable 
Bennie when he awoke, and his mother took 
real pleasure in finishing the little coat in 
peace. The few lunch dishes were turned over 
to Lonnie with success, and when Bennie was 
again asleep she voluntarily amused herself by 
polishing every tin, brass, copper or nickel ob- 
ject in the three rooms, and without making a 
muss. 

That’s the smartest child I ever saw in my 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


31 


life/’ thought Mrs. Cook, and I haven’t had 
such peace since Bennie was born, tliat I 
haven’t.” She felt so cheerful that she pre- 
pared an extra treat for supper, the pleasure 
being enhanced by Lonnie’s outspoken interest. 
The second evening was, if anything, an im- 
provement on the first, and Mr. Cook so appre- 
ciated the ability to delegate his position as 
evening nurse to Lonnie that he again said he 
thought they had better keep her for a while, 
and his wife secretly rejoiced. 

Lonnie watched narrowly the next morning 
for signs of the trip to the Home, but nothing 
was said or done. It was a beautiful day and 
she begged to wheel Bennie in his wagon, 
promising to be ^^just as careful as could be.” 
Mrs. Cook rather reluctantly consented, but as 
she watched Bennie’s face grow bright and rosy 
in the fresh air, and saw the truly exemplary 
manner in which Lonnie paced decorously over 
the allotted stretch, she subsided into a feeling 
of relaxation and enjoyed another two hours of 
sewing. 


32 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


rd get the sewing all clone uj) and have a 
beautiful time if she would just behave herself. 
I’ll tell her that I’ll try her and take her to get 
the aprons, and put her little duds through the 
wash-tub to-night while she’s in bed.” 

So while they were having their lunch Mrs. 
Cook began with some solemnity : You’ve 

been a real, good, industrious little girl this two 
days, Lonnie, and if you would keep on behav- 
ing so well I’d be willing to let you stay for a 
while. I was going to take you right off to a 
Home, but if you want to be a good girl and 
help me I’ll get you the aprons and let you 
stay here.” 

Lonnie was in a tumult of joy ; exactly why 
she could not have told ; but uppermost in her 
thoughts were the escape from the Home, the 
aprons, and the firm belief that this would show 
everybody in Walnut Court that she was a very 
useful child, and that every one of them had 
missed something by not taking her. 

There now, Ted, somebody does want me,” 
she said triumphantly to Ted the first time she 


A GOOD BEGINNING 


33 


saw him after their separation. Ihn not going 
to a Home at all ! The Cooks just couldn’t get 
along without me, and I’m to stay tliere !” 

Mrs. Cook !” and Ted gave a low whistle. 

He well knew that Mrs. Cook had the repu- 
tation of being the most unnecessarily particular 
person in all Walnut Court. 

When did she tell you ?” 

“ This afternoon.” 

‘‘ Sho ! It won’t be two days before you 
think you own the earth again, and then 
where’ll you be ? I’m selling papers !” 

‘‘ Oh !” enviously. “ I wish I did. I just 
hate staying in the house.” 

Lonnie already loved Bennie with all her 
little warm heart ; he was so pretty, and so openly 
delighted with her, and his mother kept him so 
sweet and clean. But Lonnie was far from 
being satisfied with the way his mother treated 
him. Mrs. Cook had a great many good theories 
as to the way a baby should be brought up in 
regard to its food and sleep. The only babies 
Lonnie knew anything about slept when they 
3 


34 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


were sleepy, and ate when they were hungry 
whatever could be most easily procured at the 
moment. To see Bennie want things at the table 
and not get them seemed to Lonnie disgraceful. 
He did not have any candy, nor any cake. 
Lonnie quite boiled with wrath . at the thought 
of such stinginess. She had never seen a baby 
before whose caretaker was not 2:)erfectly willing 
to give it pie, and cake, and candy, and pickles, 
if such things were to be had. 

I’ll feed him up good if I get a chance,” 
thought Lonnie. ‘‘Here I’ve been sent to buy 
this and that and the other every day, and 
paying cash ! Such a way to do ! and Bennie 
with never a bit of anything nice. I’ll just 
charge up something and take the money and 
feed him up. Then we’ll see !” 


CHAPTER III 


AN UNLUCKY FEAST 

The next clay Lonnie charged up fifteen 
cents’ worth of meat at the butcher’s, and, hurry- 
ing home with her meat and other purchases, 
began sympathetically to Mrs. Cook : 

‘‘ Now, you want to go to the big stores to do 
your errands, and why don’t you go when you 
put the meat on? I’ll wheel Bennie in his 
wagon nice as can be, and it’s beautiful out. 
He’s looking real well since he rides out every 
day.” 

Will you wheel him just where I tell you ?” 

Don’t I always ? Do you think I’d hurt 
Bennie?” 

Mrs. Cook believed her implicitly, thinking 
to herself, ‘‘ There’s one good thing about Lon- 
nie, she just loves Bennie.” 

So Mrs. Cook went on her errands and her 

35 


36 


• AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


last sight of Bennie was of a very joyful little 
boy indeed, in his new coat and cap, riding in 
his wagon, while Lonnie waved an encouraging 
good-by. 

Then away went Lonnie and the wagon, and 
the fifteen cents, to the baker’s. She bought 
two cream-pufis, and, sitting on a convenient 
step, devoured one, while Bennie had the other. 

Good, ain’t it, Bennie ? Your mother don’t 
know how to give you a good time. It’s lucky 
I fixed the bag on you or you’d be a pretty 
sight. Now, come on, and we’ll get a bottle of 
pop, and you can have half.” 

And on another step further down Cambridge 
Street she managed to pour some of the delec- 
table pop down his throat, and the rest down her 
own. My ! but that’s worth while !” she 
said. This beats everything !” 

After returning the bottle she went back to 
her regular patrol, and was there pleasantly 
smiling on Mrs. Cook’s return. . 

Well, you have been a good girl,” said Mrs. 
Cook. “ I brought you a stick of peppermint.” 


AN UNLUCKY FEAST 


37 


“ Oh, how nice ! I’ll give half to Bennie.” 

You’re a nice child to want to, but I daren’t 
let Bennie have any ; he’s got such a weak 
stomach, some way.” 

About the middle of the afternoon Bennie 
seemed listless and ailing. He refused to play 
and lay back in liis mother’s arms. Then his 
face became flushed and he was in a rapidly 
increasing fever. His mother wrung her 
hands. 

'' Oh ! what shall I do ? He’s had two of ’em 
before and they run so mortal high !” 

She tried all the simple remedies she knew, 
Lonnie getting everything for her, and being so 
quiet and dexterous that Mrs. Cook could not 
help saying : 

I don’t know what I’d ’a’ done without you, 
Lonnie. You’re that capable.” 

When Mr. Cook came home he was dis- 
patched straightway for a doctor. The doctor 
very unhesitatingly declared that the child had 
had something injurious to eat, left some pow- 
ders to allay his fever, said he should have 


38 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


nothing to eat but beef juice, and, promising to 
call in the morning, he departed. 

“ Lonnie, did any of the neighbors give Ben- 
nie anything to eat this morning asked Mrs. 
Cook. 

‘‘Oh, no r 

“ Did you r 

“ Oh, Mrs. Cook 

“ Of course you couldn’t, not having anything 
to give him.” 

Mr. Cook went to the butcher’s for the beef, 
and as he mechanically paid for it the butcher 
said, jocosely, “ So you’re going to begin charg- 
ing things ?” 

“ Charging things !” 

“ Yes ; Lonnie charged up fifteen cents to- 
day.” 

“ What do you mean ?” 

The butcher opened his book. “ Thursday, 
boiling meat, fifteen cents.” 

“ Well, that ends her !” said Mr. Cook grimly, 
and paying the bill strode out. 

At home he found a neighbor volubly talking. 


AN UNLUCKY FEAST 


39 


^‘So he is sick? Well, I said to myself when I 
saw that sight, ‘ now we’ll know if he can stand 
that, that his stomach’s as good as anybody’s.’ 
Her a-pouring that pop down his blessed little 
throat ; and when I went into the baker’s for a 
few biscuit Mis’ Thomas said as how Lonnie was 
mighty flush buyin’ sweet stuffs. Well, we all 
told you she was a bad lot. However, if I can’t 
he of use I won’t be takin’ your time. Good- 
night to you all. Bennie’ll be all chipper in the 
morning. That’s the way children are ! Don’t 
worry. When you’ve raised six the way I 
have, and lost two — rest ’em — it won’t look so 
new to you ! Good-night !” 

Bennie had fallen into a fitful sleep. Lonnie 
had made herself as small as possible behind the 
stove. Mr. Cook pulled off his heavy shoes and 
remarked dryly, ^‘That child’s goin’ to-morrow.” 

‘‘ I know she is,” answered Mrs. Cook. 

Oh ! oh !” began Lonnie, '' I’ll he good ! I’ll 
never, never do such a bad thing again ! Oh, 
oh ! I’ll turn over a new leaf! Oh, I’ve been 
learned a lesson ! Oh ! — ” 


40 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘ Stop that right now was Mr. Cook’s un- 
moved answer. You’ve done mischief enough 
without making such a racket. You stole and 
you told untruths, and I don’t keep such in my 
house. I don’t want to hear another word from 
you while I’m in this house — not one.” 

From the tone of his voice Lonnie per- 
ceived that he meant it, and sitting miserably 
behind the stove began to count the clock’s ticks, 
which she continued to do until she was sent to 
bed. 


CHAPTEE IV 


AT THE HOME 

As Mrs. Cook could not leave Bennie the 
next morning, Lonnie was confided to the not 
precisely tender mercies of one Mrs. Brent, a 
woman regarded by her neighbors as one not 
easily downed and as very likely to succeed in 
anything she undertook. 

“ You’ve lost a good home, Lonnie,” said Mrs. 
Cook at parting, and if you have a spark of 
conscience in you, you won’t need any one to 
tell you how wicked you’ve been. Now, the 
next chance you get to behave yourself, and 
make friends, you’d better make more of it. 
Good-by, I wish you well.” 

I’m thankful for one thing,” sobbed Lonnie, 
you’ve learned me a good lesson ; and I do 
hope Bennie’ll be feelin’ better and won’t miss 
me.” 


41 


42 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


And Mrs. Cook, with delightful inconsistency, 
went back to her rooms and wept quite bitterly 
for a moment or two over the pretty little girl, 
and over her own shattered dream of Lonnie 
as a real help and credit, and of the neigh- 
bors’ admiration of the child’s miraculous im- 
provement. 

“ Hope you’re satisfied with your week’s work, 
you young limb,” was Mrs. Brent’s method of 
consolation. There’s Ted. He’s lived same 
way you have, and he’s a nice, well-behaved 
little boy. Well, we’ll see what will become of 
you, and it won’t be a very edify in’ sight either. 
I’m thinkin’.’ 

It was far from being an enjoyable day. After, 
seemingly endless questions, a great deal of red 
tape, and any amount of suspicion, Mrs. Brent 
was relieved of her charge and Lonnie was 
confided to a worn-looking woman of the 
understrapper type, who was to take her, when 
opportunity came, to a Home Avhere there 
was supposed to be a vacancy. Lonnie tried 
weeping once, but it did not seem to elicit much 


AT THE HOME 


43 


sympathy ; and on the whole she was too well 
entertained by the people corning and going, 
and by a banana her protector bestowed upon 
her, to care to prolong it. If she could only 
have forgotten the Home she would have felt 
very well satisfied. But the thought of it filled 
her with resentment. She was firmly resolved 
as to her course. She would run away just as 
quickly as she possibly could. She felt sure 
that in Walnut Court every one was saying 
what a bad little girl she was and how no one 
wanted her; and Ted would say he told her 
just what would haiDpen. 

It was dark when they reached the Home, 
not a large affair at all, a plain brick building, 
just like all the other houses in the row. They 
were ushered into a hall, not very warm, with 
the gas turned low, and with the floor covered 
with oil-cloth. From that moment Lonnie 
hated oil-cloth, especially oil-cloth smelling of 
recent washing. 

Next they sat an interminable ten minutes in 
a little ante-room, which had a crayon portrait 


44 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


hanging on each wall, and a table, with two 
books on top, standing in the centre. A short- 
haired girl in a brown check apron came in to 
turn up the dimly-burning gas. There was a 
muffled sound of dishes rattling and of footsteps 
©n bare floors, which intimated that some part 
of the building was occupied. 

In the course of time a rather stout, fresh- 
faced woman, in a black dress and white apron, 
came in and listened intently to Lonnie’s escort. 
The proper order was displayed, and, after a 
series of questions, counterparts of several sets 
Lonnie had already heard that day, the escort 
departed and the matron told Lonnie to follow 
her. 

What is your name, child ?” 

‘‘ Lonnie Lakin.” 

‘Wour real name, I mean. What does Lon- 
nie stand for ?” 

‘‘Nothin’,’’ deflantly. 

The matron eyed her narrowly. “If you 
mean to be naughty here you won’t have a very 
good time, and will do yourself no good ; but if 


AT THE HOME 


45 


you are pleasant and obedient you will enjoy 
yourself, and it may turn out greatly to your 
advantage.’’ 

She did not try to say anything more to her, 
and presently, leading her into a very clean 
bath-room, rang a bell. Two large girls of 
about sixteen, both short-haired and wearing 
brown check aprons, answered the summons. 

They seemed to know what was expected of 
them without being told. 

Do your work thoroughly, girls, and get size 
seven for her. See if you can’t say a good 
word.” 

Do you belong in this Home ?” asked Lonnie 
after the matron’s departure. 

“Yes.” 

“ How long you been here ?” 

“ I’ve been here eleven years, and she’s been 
here nine. My name is Mary and her’s is Kate.” 

“ My gracious ! And you’re alive yet ? Do 
they keep every one that long ?” 

The girls both laughed, and Mary said, while 
rapidly undressing Lonnie, “No, indeed. This 


46 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


is a Home where the children don’t stay very 
long. It’s only girls, except a few boy babies, 
and people come here to adopt children. Some 
times they aren’t here more than a week.” 

“ How’d you come to be here so long ?” 

Oh ! that’s easy,” laughed Mary. Folks 
always pick out the pretty children, an,d we 
were both so mortal homely nobody wanted us. 
And when we got past the adopting age we were 
both so extra nice and useful they kept us here 
to work instead of getting us places. Isn’t that 
so, Kate ?” 

Kate gave a grunt of assent, which could 
scarcely be heard above the running water. 

“ Well, I’m pretty enough,” said Lonnie. 

Oh, yes ! You’re pretty enough, if that’s all 
there is to it. How old are you ?” 

‘‘ Ten, I guess. Why ?” 

Folks don’t take children over nine, gen- 
erally ; but you’re extra small.” 

Quit washing me so hard !” 

‘‘We have to, you’re the dirtiest sort of a 
child.” 


AT THE HOME 


47 


‘‘ I washed myself day before yesterday/' in- 
dignantly. 

‘‘You made an extra poor job of it, if 
you did. When ever did you do it before 
that?" 

“ I don’t know ; never, I guess.” 

“ That’s my guess, too.” 

The rehabilitation in clean garments was 
rather pleasing to Lonnie, but she felt a distinct 
aversion to the gray woollen dress and brown 
checked apron on the chair. 

“ What you going to cut my hair for?” 

“ Always have to ; beads are always dirty, 
and that’s the quickest way.” 

“ But I don’t want my hair cut !” 

“ Well, we will give you the long cut. When 
hair is curly we give the long cut, and when 
it’s straight the short cut. Every single child 
looks better after we have cut their hair and 
shampooed their heads. Fact !” 

“ I’ve heard folks starves children in these 
Homes.” 

“ Yes, all the children that come, most, have 


48 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


heard that. It don’t take them long to fatten 
up, though. You’re fat enough already.” 

What do they give you ? I’ve heard it was 
always the same thing.” 

Pretty near. Want to know what, or had 
you rather wait and find out ?” 

Rather know now.” 

“ That’s where you’re foolish. But Ifil tell 
you. We have oatmeal and milk for breakfast, 
and Sunday morning bread and molasses extra. 
Suppers, we have brown bread and milk in sum- 
mer, and cornmeal pudding and milk in win- 
ter. Cornmeal’s begun again now. For dinner 
we always have a soup, and potatoes, and some 
vegetable, and Sundays and Wednesdays some 
meat, and Sundays a pudding. We’ll be late 
for supper and we three will eat alone. That 
will be fun.” 

What do they do all day ?” 

‘‘ The best behaved ones that are old enough 
go to school ; and the others have school here in 
the school-room from nine till twelve, and the 
rest of the time, except play time, they work.” 


AT THE HOME 


49 


“ Work !” in great horror. 

“ All the fresh ones are put right off to wip- 
ing stairs, and they have to wipe stairs until 
they can do the stairs and the banisters exactly 
right.’’ 

I don’t believe that would be very much 
fun,” and Lonnie jmt her head on one side and 
looked so judicially critical that Mary and Kate 
both burst out laughing. 

You know, I don’t like minding very well,” 
went on Lonnie confidentially. I never had 
to mind anybody ’cept Mrs. Cook, and only just 
Mrs. Lakin when she started for me with a 
broom or something. She didn’t expect me to 
mind only then, and then I just hustled.” 

‘‘You better try to mind here before you are 
punished; that’s the easiest way. And I hope 
you will like to mind me, for I suppose you will 
be in my room.” 

“ What’s that mean ?” 

Kate and I each have a room with several 
beds in it for middle-sized children, and I sup- 
pose you’ll be in my room. The babies and 
4 


50 


AN OD0 LITTLE LASS 


little ones are in a couple of nurseries, and the 
older ones have a room. This is just a small 
Home.’’ 

Lonnie was beginning to feel very much 
pleased with the Home, and though she had 
meant to be quite miserable and gloomy, she 
found her spirits rising to their highest pitch. 

Mary shook her head meaningly at the smil- 
ing Kate as they noticed the lively look in Lon- 
nie’s eyes and the energy of all her movements. 

Having supper alone with Mary and Kate 
was not in the least awe-inspiring, and in spite 
of themselves they could not help laughing at 
the ridiculous antics of the new-comer. Kate 
could laugh in a more heart-free way, however, 
than Mary, for Kate was not the one to wrestle 
with her that night. 

When Lonnie found herself in Mary’s room 
with several other little girls her spirits went up 
another notch. . Other little new girls always 
acted in a shy and lonesome manner, if not 
tearful, the first night ; but Lonnie was mightily 
taken with the whole arrangement. 


AT THE HOME 


51 


At the breakfast table Lonnie evinced a per- 
fect genius for raising^ surreptitious giggles at 
her end of the table. 

Children/^ said the matron — Aunt Jane, 
every one was taught to call her — if you feel 
like laughing, laugh ; don’t snicker and giggle 
as if you were ashamed.” But it was useless. 

After breakfast the matron called Lonnie to 
her in a way that made some of the more timid 
children quite jDale with apprehension. 

‘‘Now, my child,” said the matron with 
judicial severity, “Mary has told me of y9ur 
conduct in her room last night, and I have seen 
your conduct this morning at the table. You 
are making a mistake. You forget that you 
are only one among a number. We must all 
of us act, not for ourselves alone, but with con- 
sideration for all the rest. Now don’t try to 
make trouble, dear; just try to make things 
pleasanter for your being here.” 

“ Oh, I like it here ever so much !” said 
Lonnie, brightly. “It’s pleasant enough for 
me !” 


52 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘ I’m glad you like it,” said the matron, try- 
ing not to smile, an4 I lioj)e you will try to 
make us like you. Come, now, and I will show 
you your work during work hours.” 

She took her to the three-story staircase and 
gave her an oiled dust-cloth. “You are to rub 
the steps, every inch of them, tread and mold- 
ing and sides, and the stair-boards atid the 
railing, hard and clean. Not only must you 
not have any dust, but you must polish them. 
Just as soon as you can do a flight satisfactorily 
you will be given your turn at other kinds of 
work.” 

“ Will other children be doing the other 
kinds of work, too ?” 

“Yes.” 

“ Oh, goody ! All right ! I’ll have this done 
in no time ! I’ll be all ready for you when you 
come !” 

Then she set to work like a little madcap, 
rubbing, and wiping, and singing, sputtering 
and talking to herself. The ceilings were not 
very high, and before the school-bell rang. 


AT THE HOME 


53 


Lonnie had wriggled and rubbed her way from 
top to bottom. 

“ Now for cleaning the banister rail/’ she said 
with a satisfied chuckle, and running clear to 
the third story she fastened her duster to her as 
a sort of a pennant, settled herself firmly on the 
rail, and slid down to the landing. '' There, 
that’s clean, and I guess I’ll clean it some more 
that way !” 

Down the next she went, and when the 
matron came out into the lower hall to take 
Lonnie to the school-room, she was greeted by 
the sight of a brown check bundle whizzing 
down the lower stair rail, bump into the newel 
post. 

“ Hello ! You here !” puffed Lonnie, catching 
her breath, her red cheeks redder than ever, 
and her pretty half curly short hair looking 
anything but plastered down. 

“ I’m cleaning the railing ! Just see the stairs ! 
Don’t they shine! How do you like ’em? 
What’s the next work ? Making pies ? Cake ? 
Going errands ? I’m ready.” 


54 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


The matron thought of a dozen things to say, 
but they all seemed so unequal to the occasion 
that she simply said, You mustn’t slide down 
the banisters again, it’s not safe. Come to the 
school-room now.” 

Full of curiosity Lonnie went into the school- 
room, a sunny, cheerful place with plants and 
blackboards and pictures, and several rows of 
clean-looking little brown check aproned girls. 

Lonnie’s entrance had the effect of a charge of 
electricity. All the children became at once rest- 
less and wide awake, and do what she would, Miss 
West, the teacher, found that her influence was 
at its lowest ebb, and that morning was the 
hardest she ever passed at the Home. She 
couldn’t say exactly what Lonnie had done, 
either. 

At dinner the matron’s attention was directed 
particularly toward Lonnie, and none of the 
little attentions Lonnie bestowed on her neigh- 
bors escaped her notice. That end of the table 
was in a regular gale. Finally, when Lonnie 
snapped a crust of bread with unerring aim at 


AT THE HOME 


55 


the nose of her vis-a-vis, one of the nurses, a 
large strong woman, picked her up quietly and 
before Lonnie could expostulate placed her in a 
bare, well-lighted closet and bolted the door. 

If that don’t beat all !” murmured Lonnie. 

Me having such a good time, and making it so 
pleasant and nice for our end of the table, and 
then here I am !” and then she laughed to think 
how funny Alice looked when the crust hit her. 

If they’re going to act so mean I’ll have to 
sit quieter, for I sure don’t like this.” 

That night in Mary’s room, when Lonnie was 
getting all ready for some more fun, Mary 
caught her and held her firmly in her lap. 

See here ! You are very silly ; don’t you 
know this is an adopting home ? If anybody 
came to adopt a child and wanted you. Aunt 
Jane would have to say you were dreadfully 
troublesome, and they wouldn’t take you. It 
won’t do you a bit of good to be pretty if you 
don’t act well ; but if you do act well it would 
be worth a lot to you — a nice home and nice 
things, perhaps.” 


56 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“ My ejaculated Lonnie ; then she added 
witli a nice little smile, but I am sure I 
would rather stay here with you. you are so 
kind.’’ ' 

Oh, you little monkey !” laughed Mary. I 
wouldn’t rather have you if you don’t act better ; 
you got me a scolding last night, and I didn’t 
like it much.” / 

Oh, I’m so sorry ! I’ll show that old Aunt 
Jane!” 

Mercy, child, do keep still ! She’s the best 
friend I have in the world. It’s you you’d better 
show !” 

Well, I’ll show me then I” and she behaved 
as well as possible that evening. 

The general impression throughout the Home, 
however, was that Lonnie could create more 
disturbance than any other child who had ever 
been there. 

She had been there only a little over a week 
when a carriage and pair, with gold-mounted 
harness and liveried coachman and footman, 
drove up to the door. The news spread through 


AT THE HOME 


57 


the school like wildfire. The matron had been 
expecting some one and was bristling with im- 
portance, and could not avoid giving a sort of 
finishing pat to every child she passed. 

A lady and gentleman entered the Home, and 
such a lady and such a gentleman ! And they 
were coming to hunt a child ! Never had such 
a splendid chance opened up before. If the 
children could have had their way they would 
have rushed in a body shrieking, ‘‘ Take me 
But they all knew enough to go about their 
ordinary avocations as diligently as might be. 

The visitors did not see Lonnie until they 
reached the school-room. She looked up, as did 
the others, at their arrival. 

Oh, Charles ! what a perfectly lovely child !” 
exclaimed the lady ; “ we must have that one ! 
Oh, who is she to the matron. They moved 
up near Lonnie’s desk. Her shortened, rather 
disorderly golden brown curls, her rosy cheeks, 
and long eyelashes, and soft brown eyes, and 
pretty little nose and mouth and chin, and 
white, even teeth, were all noted by the lady’s 


58 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


quick eye. Charles, she’s perfect ; we just 
must have her, the darling!” 

‘‘She is pretty,” replied the matron, some- 
what hesitatingly. 

“ Is she kind and honest, and does she want 
to do the way you wish to have lier ?” 

“Why, we all like her already. She has 
only been here a week. I couldn’t say posi- 
tively about her.” 

“ Come,” said the gentleman, smiling, “ she 
has been troublesome ; own up !” 

“ Yes, she has been troublesome,” confessed 
the matron, “ but she doesn’t know everything 
yet.” 

“ Now, Helen,” whispered the gentleman, 
persuasively, to his wife, “ don’t fly in the 
face of Providence. Let’s stick to that little 
tot in the nursery. She certainly isn’t trouble- 
some.” 

“She was the sweetest little darling in the 
world, I admit,” and they turned away. 

Lonnie had heard every word and it was all 
she could .do to keep the scalding tears from 


AT THE HOME 


59 


dropping down on lier slate. Oh, that gold 
harness, and those lovely rings on the lady’s 
hands, and that beautiful bonnet! She could 
have yelled. Why hadn’t she been good and 
made friends with the matron ? Then the 
matron would have praised her, and she would 
have gone in that elegant carriage, and how the 
children would have stared — oh ! 

Once more the lady, being led by Mary to 
the nursery, passed Lonnie on the stairs. 

Is that child troublesome, as the matron 
seemed to think ?” asked the lady. 

Lonnie held her breath. Wouldn’t Mary 
praise her? 

She’s a dear little soul, I think ; but my, 
my I the life she leads us all ! The day just 
isn’t long enough to keep up with her. But I 
pretty near love her.” 

Poor little thing,” said the lady, and, going 
back, she patted Lonnie’s head. '' I know you 
are a nice little girl, dear, and I am sure you 
aren’t a bit troublesome. If you will just care 
a little more about what your friends wish they 


GO 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


will be able to say even kinder things than they 
do of you.’’ 

Oh, I’m just 1-1-lovely good !” sobbed Lon- 
nie. 

I am sure of it. Good-by, dear.” 

The whole affair was even more strongly 
borne in upon Lonnie when a dimpled little 
two-year-old from the nursery was brought 
into the dining-room at dinner time for a fare- 
well. All the children rose and called out 
‘‘ Good-by ” and Good wishes.” The lady 
and gentleman smiled good-by, and the baby, 
in the arms of the nurse who had been waiting 
in the carriage, was driven away. Prancing 
horses, gold harness, liveried coachman — good- 
by, everything ! and Lonnie could scarcely 
keep the tears back. 


CHAPTER V 


AUNT JANE 

The very next morning the matron was so 
unfortunate as to slip on the basement stairs and 
twist her ankle. It was necessary that she should 
remain quietly in her room, if such a thing were 
possible, for a week at least. 

She knew that everything would probably go 
on smoothly during her retirement, but she 
wanted some one to wait on her and keep her 
informed as to how everything was going in all 
parts of the house and to carry messages for 
her. Lonnie heard Mary wondering to Kate 
whom the matron would pick out, and quick 
as a flash she darted along the hall to the 
matron’s room, pushed her head through the 
partly open door, and seeing the matron alone, 
mournfully contemplating her bandaged ankle, 
began eagerly, “ Please choose me to wait on 

61 


62 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


you. I’ll do everything exactly right, and be 
just as quiet, you can’t think ! And I never 
forget a message, and I won’t get a thing 
twisted ! I just love accidents and sick people !” 

She waited, her eyes round with excitement, 
and the matron laughed with amusement at her 
eagerness. 

‘^Yes, I’ll choose you if you like. If you 
don’t behave I’ll have to change, but if you can 
do what I say I shall be glad to keep you. Go 
to Mary for a clean apron. Tell her to have 
Nurse Bates see that Mollie Jay’s throat is 
looked after, and tell Kate to come to me at 
four o’clock, and see if there is any mail, and 
bring me a glass of water.” 

‘‘Yes’m,” smiled Lonnie, and the matron 
thought that if she did half those things she 
would keep her 

The clean apron, the mail, and the water 
came back promptly, and later events jiroved 
that the messages had been accurately delivered. 
What was more, the matron soon discovered that 
no matter how many things she told Lonnie to 


AUNT JANE 


63 


get, or do, or say, Lonnie never asked her to re- 
peat, and never failed to remember every item. 

Lonnie has a regular knack for doing things,’’ 
she admitted. Her tea and cocoa were never 
spilled when Lonnie brought them, though 
they always were when any one else did it. 
When Lonnie straightened the room, things 
had a neat, pretty air that was quite beyond 
any other person’s arrangement. She seemed 
to know when the matron was dozing — and the 
good woman dozed many a half-hour in her un- 
accustomed retirement, and could keep quiet. 
She could sing the most ordinary little songs in 
the sweetest voice imaginable, and the items she 
told concerning the goings on in the house from 
basement to attic surpassed in interest what 
every one else told her put together. 

‘‘ She certainly is a child of remarkable quali- 
ties,” admitted the matron. I feel sorry she 
did not show them before. For Mrs. Kossington 
certainly did take a great fancy to Lonnie, and 
if I could have spoken as well of her as I can now 
would perhaps have chosen her. However, I 


64 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


think she did better for herself to take Tottie. 
I hope so/’ 

What would you like to be, Lonnie ?” 

A lady.” 

But I mean to earn your living ?” 

I don’t want to earn my living.” 

You will probably have to.” / 

“ No, I want to be a lady, and not do a thing 
but drive around.” 

One afternoon the matron asked Lonnie to go 
to her trunk and get her a small inlaid cedar 
box. Lonnie did so, and the matron then ex- 
cused her for an hour to go and help in the 
nursery. 

I would just like to know what was in that 
box,” thought Lonnie. ‘‘ It was a pretty box. 
Maybe there was gum in it. Maybe there was 
dimonts in it. I’ll look next time she asks me 
to get it out for her or put it back.” 

At the end of the hour she returned to the 
matron’s room. 

Put the box back where you got it, Lonnie, 
and then sit quietly with that picture-book.” 


AUNT JANE 


65 


Lonnie took the box and on the way to the 
trunk tried to open the lid, but it was not an 
ordinary box, and did not open in an ordinary 
way. Making a desperate effort to slide the 
cover she cracked it. 

‘‘What's that?" sharply asked the matron. 

“ I was trying to see how your box opened 
and I cracked it. I'm awful sorry." 

The matron's face flushed violently. A woman 
of marked self-control, no one who knew her 
would have supposed that so trifling an incident 
could have moved her so much. But her treasure 
had been desecrated. That little box, the few 
things in it, constituted for her a very Holy of 
Holies — the something that held her by a 
golden thread to the golden glory of her youth. 
Practical, efficient, well poised, satisfled with her 
life, and in a place eminently suited to her, 
there was that in her past which was in itself 
hallowed, and which in a sense hallowed for her 
all her common lot since then. 

The one spot where she could be sorely 
wounded had been taken as a target by Lonnie. 
5 


66 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“ Bring it here 

Lonnie brought it, conscious that the matron 
was bitterly incensed. 

Did you open it V’ 

Nohn; I couldn't get it open. I just wish 
you’d take the poker to me ! Shall I get it for 
you ?” 

The tenseness of the matron’s face and tone 
relaxed. After all, it hadn’t been opened. 

You surely didn’t open it ?” 

No’m !” in astonishment. I don’t see how 
you do it !” 

Don’t you know it’s wicked to meddle ?” 

I’d ought to know it,” shamefacedly. I 
won’t do it again.” 

Help me turn where I can see you, and then 
you must put it back. I am terribly disappointed 
in you, Lonnie.” 

Lonnie looked as though she might be going 
to cry when Kate came to the door and asked 
if she could show in Miss Joyce. 

'' Yes, certainly ; you may wait here, Lonnie.” 

In came Miss Joyce, and Lonnie gave a 


AUNT JANE 


67 


cry of surprise and delight when she saw it 
was the lady who had given her the five-cent 
piece. 

Do you know this child, Miss Joyce asked 
the matron. 

‘‘ No-o. I don’t think so. But she looks 
familiar.” 

^‘Oh, you do know me! You gave me five 
cents on Cambridge Street, by Walnut Court — 
me and Ted ; and we bought licorish, and Ted’s 
mother, she had her leg broke !” 

I do remember,” said Miss Joyce smiling. 

She looked so near weeping when I entered. 
Miss Harding, I thought sure you were dealing 
with a culprit.” 

“ So I was,” was the rather grim reply, and 
she sketched in the situation. 

Wasn’t I dreadful ?” sighed Lonnie. “ Now 
I hear it told, it doesn’t seem as though I could 
have been so mean to anybody. And do you 
know, Miss Joyce,” seriously, really was 
meaning to behave mighty well for Aunt Jane, 
now she’s laid up. I never acted so well for 


68 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


anybody in my life. For I like tins Home, and. 
Aunt Jane, and Kate, and Mary, and every- 
body, and IVe made the most trouble you ever 
heard of right along — just having a good tiime. 
And I thought I’d make u|) for being so trouble- 
some by being terrible useful, and now see what 
I’ve been an’ gone an’ done !” 

She stop23ed, quite breathless, and the matron 
was surprised to find that her animosity toward 
Lonnie was practically extinct. 

'' She has been good. Miss Joyce — really — I 
never saw such a smart, capable, quick, useful 
little girl as Lonnie in all my life.” 

'' Oh, my !” thought Lonnie. “ Now, if she 
was looking for a little girl that would be say- 
ing pretty nice things of me, wouldn’t it !” 

Lonnie was excused from further attendance, 
and Miss Joyce, one of the directors of the 
Home, made known her errand. Her house was 
empty at the time except for herself and the 
maid, and she had stopped to see if there was any 
one she could take out with her for a week or 
so. It was something she often did, and if there 


AUNT JANE 


69 


was any child who seemed in need of a change 
for any reason that was the child chosen. 

‘‘Now, I will just take Lonnie, if you are 
willing,’’ said Miss Joyce. “ It will give you a 
rest, and I rather think we shall enjoy having 
her. I believe there is an application in from a 
fine farm out a little way that will be just the 
thing for that child ; she needs to be whei-e there 
is considerable activity.” 

“ Oh, she could do the activity part herself, 
anywhere,” was the matron’s hasty comment. 

In the course of an hour, Lonnie, glowingly 
happy, rode away with Miss Joyce in her 
phaeton. 


CHAPTER VI 


BROOKLINE 

On the drive home Miss Joyce found herself 
becoming greatly interested in the little red- 
cheeked dot by her side. Lonnie was secretly 
rejoiced at the appearance of the whip and the 
robe, which seemed* to her to bespeak a certain 
elegance, though she was sorry there was no 
gold plate on the harness. She resorted to her 
most babyfied air, which had always seemed to 
be effective, and the sweet little voice and bright 
little sayings quite won her hearer’s heart. 

Ted, you know, he’s such a good boy and 
he’s selling papers, and I would just love to buy 
a paper of him — to drive down Tremont Street 
with you and buy a paper of him.” 

That remark served to recall Miss Joyce to 
herself. She had not dealt with Dick and 
Tony, and Will and Dan, and all the rest of 
them for nothing. Her naturally keen intui- 
70 


BROOKLINE 


71 


tions had been well sharpened. She had a dim 
perception of the condition of the child by her 
side. Lonnie was counting, probably, on a rise 
in her fortune; she might be calculating the 
chances of new clothes, and presents, and new 
and admiring friends, and she meant, if pos- 
sible, to impress her glory on her former circle 
of acquaintances. Natural enough ; but there 
was no use in unnecessarily disappointing her. 

“ Listen to me, Lonnie. You must not think 
you are coming to my house in Brookline to 
live. I shall only keep you a few days at the 
most. The Home will secure a place for you 
in the country, and you will have to learn to be 
obedient and to work. While you are with me 
I dare say Maggie, my housekeeper, will find 
something for you to do. I shall be glad, of 
course, if you have a pleasant time, but I clon^t 
want you to make any mistake.” 

Lonnie had not been making any mistake, 
but she was nothing if not sanguine, and she 
confidently expected, if she liked the house and 
appointments in Brookline, to stay there. 


72 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Yes’m, I know. I never was brought up 
to work very much, nor to ’sociate with com- 
mon children, and I don’t like coarse things, 
but,” catching a baffling expression on her 
companion’s face, I’ll be glad to do all your 
work for you, and take care of your horse and 
all your other cattle, and do your washing and 
all, if I could cTo it to please you.” 

Miss Joyce burst out laughing; then, to 
cover her amazement, said : Would you like 

to know something about my establishment?” 

‘^What’s that?” 

“ My home.” 

Oh, yes, I’d like to.” 

“ I often have boys with me, but very seldom 
any girls. I have two boys now. Will and 
Dan, only Will has gone to his mother, and 
perhaps will stay with her. And Dan is still 
out in the country, so you won’t see either of 
them.' The first little boy I had was named 
John. He was a cripple and the dearest, love- 
liest little boy I ever saw ; everybody thought 
so. We all loved him so much.” 


BROOKLINE 


73 


“ Where is he now 

“He died. He had been run over by a 
wagon before I took him out to Brookline — 
that was what made him a cripple, and we 
knew he couldn^t live very long.’’ 

“I wish you’d have a funeral while I’m at 
your house. I love funerals.” 

As Miss Joyce was absolutely unable to 
think of an answer the subject was passed over. 

“ What kind of a lady are you ?” 

“ I ? Oh, I am a working lady.” 

“ A working lady !” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Ted said if I asked you what kind of a lady 
you were you wouldn’t know what I meant, 
and now I don’t know what you mean. Are 
you a washlady ?” 

“No,” trying not to laugh. 

“ I knew a saleslady once. Is that it ?” 

“ No.” 

“ What do you mean by a worklady ?” 

“ I work — work hard ; earn money if I’m 
lucky.” 


74 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Are you a cooker ?” 

“ No, not even a steam cooker.” 

‘‘ What makes you work ?” 

I think everybody ought to.” 

Wouldn’t you have any money if you 
didn’t work ?” 

‘‘ Yes, I suppose so ; but not so much.”' 

I don’t ever mean to be that kind of a lady. 
I’m just going to dances.” 

That would be pretty hard work, I think.” 
Lonnie looked at her in undisguised amazement. 

The house at Brookline was quite a revelation 
to Lonnie. She had never been inside a well- 
furnished house in her life, and the well-kejit 
grounds and generous furnishings of the Gar- 
diner residence filled her with admiration for 
one short moment. 

Now this is something like,” she thought. 

I’m not going to let anybody see I’m not up 
to such things. Wouldn’t Ted and his mother, 
and Mrs. Cook, and all those Home children 
stare to see where I am ! I guess this suits me ; 
I’m just a-going to stay.” 


BROOKLINE 


75 


While Miss Joyce was speaking to Maggie, 
Lonnie leaned luxuriously back in the best chair 
she could find, and smiled benevolently at Miss 
Joyce on her return. ‘‘This is all hunky! 
This suits me !” 

“ Come up-stairs and Idl show you where you 
are to sleep while you are here,’^ and Miss 
Joyce led her past several bed-room§ whose 
magnificence concurred exactly with Lonnie’s 
ideas, to a very plain, neat little room opening 
into Maggie’s more elaborate apartment. 

“Ain’t there a sittin’-room goes with this 
room ?” asked Lonnie, showing her disappoint- 
ment. “ I’m used to a sittin’-room along with 
my bed-room I” 

“ No, no sitting-room goes with it,” unable 
to keep back a smile. “ You will have to use 
the one down-stairs with me. When did you 
last have a bath ?” 

“ Last night.” 

“ Very well, then, you may wash your face 
and hands, and comb your hair ; and as I 
don’t enjoy looking steadily at brown checks. 


76 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


you may lay off that apron and I will put a 
white apron on you. When I am in town you 
may wear your brown one.’’ 

I’d like to go in town with you,” sweetly. 

‘‘ Oh, would you! I hardly think it practi- 
cable for me to avail myself of the pleasure of 
your company.” 

‘‘Oh !” was the blank response. 

Adorned in a dear little sheer-white apron, 
with tucks and embroidery, Lonnie was as pretty 
as a picture, and when she accidentally saw her- 
self in a mirror she exclaimed in astonishment. 

“ You see God made you very pretty, Lonnie. 
I am sure he meant you to act well, too.” 

“ Oh, yes ; Mrs. Lakin said I’d make a first- 
rate actress, and I’d like it, too. Have you got 
any dimonts ?” 

“ Not a diamond. Come in here and you may 
play on the j)iano if you want to.” 

That was the time Miss Joyce had touched 
the right spot. Keal joy, unstained by any 
ulterior consideration or any nefarious schemes 
for the future, welled up in Lonnie’s heart. She 


BEOOKLINE 


77 


sat quietly on the music stool, and with shining 
eyes softly touched the keys until supper-time. 
Sometimes she made sounds that seemed to her 
like a little tune, and then she would clap her 
hands. 

The next morning, after breakfast. Miss Joyce 
told Lonnie that she was to put on her brown 
apron and do exactly what Maggie told her to 
do. That Maggie would find things for her to 
do to help her, and would take her with her 
to do the marketing, and give her her lunch. 

Now be sure you mind Maggie,’’ was her 
parting injunction. 

All right, I will,” sang out Lonnie. I’ll be 
good ! Shall I practice a little on the piano ?” 

If you will be careful.” 

“Yes; I’ll be careful!” Then she ran back 
in the house to Maggie. “ Now, Maggie, which 
had you rather I’d do, put on that old hideous 
brown check apron and wipe dishes for you — 
mebby break ’em, you know — or keep on this 
pretty apron and. go play you something per — 
feet — ly love — ly on the piano ?” 


78 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“ I think you must put on the ‘ hideous brown 
check apron/ and come here and wipe the silver 
— you can’t break that — and save your white 
apron for Miss Joyce to see/’ was the heartless 
rejoinder. 

Maggie fully expected a fit of sulks. These 
pretty children,” she thought, never are worth 
a dime.” 

All right, Maggie, that’s the very ticket ! 
and I’ll tell you all about Ted ; and I could tell 
you things that would make your eyes stand 
right out of your head.” 

Lonnie liked to work, and she enjoyed talking 
above all things ; and slie liked company, so she 
had a fine time. Everything went well until, 
after dinner, Maggie told her to gp out and 
play. Lonnie didn’t know anything about 
playing in the real sense of the word, nor about 
playing alone, and she sim^dy amused hei-self 
by sitting on the iron rod that served for a fence 
around the front lawn, and shouting ‘‘ Hello !” 
or anything else she could think of, to every 
one that went by. When Maggie discovered 


WHAT WAS IT?” ASKED LONNIE 

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BROOKLINE 


79 


what the brown-checked object was doing out 
front she was filled with indignation. 

Nice doings ! I hope Miss Joyce woiJt 
keep her here long ! I'll tell her to come play 
the piaiiQ." 

That invitation was effective to a degree, and 
Lonnie was as happy and good to look at on 
Miss Joyce's return home as could be desired. 

How has Lonnie behaved, Maggie ?" she 
asked. 

She’s the smartest little thing to talk ever I 
saw. But you just have to be all eyes and ears 
to know what she's going to do next. She's 
just all-pervadin' !” 

Miss Joyce thought she would tell Lonnie 
some stories after supper. She thought she 
had new soil to work on and she was 
anxious, experimentally, to see what effect a 
regulation story with a moral at the end would 
have. 

‘‘ Do you want to hear a story, Lonnie ?" 

“ What do you mean ?” smiled Lonnie. 

Why a story, a — ” 


80 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


I mean is it ghosty and bloody and all, for 
I don’t like that kind at night.” 

No, it isn’t.” 

Well, I don’t like any other kind.” 

Perhaps you will like my kind,” and she 
began a very interesting little tale indeed, for 
she was a particularly good story-teller and had 
had large experience with her boys. It was a 
story, however, with an object, and that object 
was to show the exceeding sinfulness of med- 
dling. This object in time became very appar- 
ent. The rapt expression on Lonnie’s face was 
replaced by an openly amused smile. 

Oh, come off!” she said in a tone so capti- 
vating as to palliate the impoliteness of the 
words themselves. I’ll just excuse the rest of 
that story. Now let me .entertain you ! How 
would you like to hear me play the piano ?” 

Miss Joyce laughed. Lonnie was lots of fun. 
“You can play for ten minutes, then you must 
go to bed.” 

Lonnie was so unfeignedly happy at the 
piano that Miss Joyce felt inspired to give her 


BROOKLINE 


81 


a regular gala day before consigning her to 
farm life. So after Lonnie had gone to bed 
she said : V\l let you drive with me in town 
to-morrow, and we will buy a paper of Ted, 
and we will have lunch at a nice place and go 
to some stores, and I will take you to a concert 
in Music Hall in the afternoon.’’ 

In one brilliant flash heaven was opened. 
Lonnie squealed with delight and long after 
Miss Joyce had departed she lay there in bed 
rehearsing all the glories of the coming day. 

And it was a wonderful day, to be sure. 

“ I suppose the proper thing will be to stuff 
her with candy,” thought Miss Joyce. ‘‘She 
doesn’t look as though anything could make 
her sick.” 

So a box of caramels it was, and Lonnie ate 
them without criticism during the drive in 
town. 

“ There ! there’s Ted now !” she cried exult- 
antly, pointing to the well-known figure. He 
did not seem to have changed much. His face 
wore the philosophic expression as of one who 
6 


82 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


could gaze unmoved on whatever life might un- 
roll before him. 

Ted screamed Lonnie. 

He looked up bewildered, and saw Lonnie 
seated beside the well-remembered lady of the 
five-cent piece. 

'' Well, Lonnie ! you do beat everything for 
getting what you want,’’ he said slowly. 

‘‘ How do you do, Ted ?” said Miss Joyce. 
‘‘ Lonnie said she wanted to buy a paper.” 

‘‘ Oh ! I’ll give her one, if that’s all she’s 
after !” he said, handing out a paper. A 
manilla bag would do her just as well, for all 
she could read on it.” 

‘‘You’ll sell me one, anyway, won’t you?” 

“ And, Ted, here’s this candy,” said Lonnie, 
handing over the box with over half the car- 
amels in it. “ They’re good — eat ’em !” 

“ Don’t you want ’em ?” 

“ No, I rather you’d have ’em. How’s 
Bennie ?” 

“ He’s all right, I guess. Somebody said he 
screamed when you left.” 


BROOKLINE 


83 


Ted/’ said Miss Joyce, if you can be here 
at this place at half-past twelve I want you to 
come and eat dinner with us at a restaurant.” 

Ted’s face grew painfully red as he looked at 
his clothes. 

‘‘ They are all right, dear. I am used to 
boys like you, I can assure you. You and I are 
going to be friends.” 

He smiled shyly, and agreed to be there at 
the appointed time. Miss Joyce was sure from 
the look of the little fellow that he was not 
dressed warmly enough for the sharp weather 
they were having, and bought some heavy 
underwear for him, though she was careful not 
to say anything to Lonnie about it. Lonnie was 
wild over the stores they visited ; she commented 
on everything, and watched every cent Miss 
Joyce spent, and followed with pleased eyes 
every yard of cloth or ribbon, every handker- 
chief and small article ; and during the peregri- 
nation she managed to make a large collection 
of cards, colored papers, handkerchief ribbons, 
and other gim cracks. 


84 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


They found Ted waiting at the j)lace agreed 
upon, and a few words put him at his ease. He 
was evidently still greatly surprised at seeing 
Lonnie with Miss Joyce, hut asking questions 
was not in his line. Lonnie, however, always 
longed to impart information, and in this case 
was especially anxious to display the present 
glory of her condition. She hoped Ted yfould 
tell of it, and that all Walnut Court would hear 
about her before night. At intervals, when she 
thought Miss Joyce was occupied with some- 
thing else, she remarked to Ted ; 

‘‘You ought to see the house I live in — ele- 
gant! And the servants! And the place I 
sleep ! Why, Ted, you never saw such doings ! 
And the carriages ! Oh, my ! And gold-plated 
harness ! I’m going to be a lady for all you said !” 

“ Are you really living there ?” asked Ted, 
somewhat awed. 

“Well, I should think I was! What’d you 
s’pose I’d be doing ? And the eating ! Every- 
thing all the time — all the gum, and pop, and 
ice-cream you can think of!” 


BROOKLINE 


85 


‘‘ Oh, pshaw !’' said Ted, laughing at the ban- 
tering look in Lonnie’s eyes ; he did not believe 
it all by any means, but he could see enough 
with his own eyes to astonish him. Miss Joyce 
heard all that was said and she greatly desired to 
enlighten Ted as to the true state of affairs ; but 
Lonnie was having such a delightful day she 
did not want to take cognizance of any delin- 
quency unless she was obliged to. When they 
were through lunch and parting from Ted, she 
took him one side and gave him his bundle. I 
want you to put on these warm clothes as soon 
as you go home, Ted. I don’t want you to be 
sick, and I want you to come out to my house 
to tea a week from to-night,” giving a card with 
her address. ‘‘Lonnie is only to be with me a 
few days, so you won’t see her, but you will 
have a nice time and you must be sure to 
come.” 

Ted’s face showed signs of amusement at what 
she said about Lonnie, but he hastily resolved 
to suppress that item in his tale to Walnut 
Court. He would do as well by Lonnie as 


86 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


he could in return for many and many a past 
favor. 

The concert proved to be a great success as 
far as Lonnie was concerned, and she went to 
bed that night full of satisfaction and self-con- 
gratulation. 


CHAPTEE VII 


A NICE LITTLE TAILOR 

Miss Joyce, can you giv^ me an old 
dress and some scissors, and a needle and 
thread?’^ asked Lonnie with an air of great 
importance. 

Well, what do you want to do now?” 

<<Why, I thought while you were in town, 
and after Maggie had got through with me, I 
would make Ted a nice suit of clothes. He’s 
always so ashamed of his clothes.” 

Do you think you could ?” asked Miss 
Joyce, gravely. 

Oh, I’m sure of it! I saw just how Mrs. 
Cook sewed. She was an elegant sewer.” 

Do give it to her. Miss Joyce,” murmured 
Maggie, who was sweeping up the hearth ; 

maybe it will keep her off the front fence, 
hollerin’ at folks.” 

So Miss Joyce, without throwing in any ad- 

87 


88 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


vice or restrictions, gave her an old dress skirt, 
the desired scissors, needle and thread. ' 

‘‘ I’ll jist give her a job of work first,” 
thought Maggie, or she’ll be all through with 
that and ready to holler an hour before Miss 
Joyce gets back.” 

So she set Lonnie to polishing silver. 

How nice Maggie is,” thought Lonnie/. I 
didn’t know there were any such nice people.” 

“ I’ll help yon as nice as can be, Maggie, and 
we’ll have fun. I’ll open the dcor for you. 
You have such pretty eyes.” 

Mercy, child, how you do talk !” 

You never were bad, were you, Maggie ? 
I’m awful bad sometimes. God doesn’t like 
bad people. I haven’t known much of any- 
body He did like until I knew you.” 

Maggie’s theology would not have passed 
muster with any of the enlightened, but she 
felt that there must be something radically 
wrong with that statement. 

God sent His Son to save you, so He must 
love you.” 


A NICE LITTLE TAILOK 


. 89 


did he! Well, He’s sort of forgotten 
about it, then, for most folks don’t seem to 
think I’m a very good job. There, isn’t that 
shiny ? Can’t I rub all your silver ?” 

‘‘ You may if you like,” for Maggie preferred 
the noble art of cooking to laying on silver 
polish. 

Maggie produced more silver and was grati- 
fied by Lonnie’s outspoken admiration. 

Oh, what lots ! Does Miss Joyce own all 
that?” 

‘‘Yes; it all belonged to her aunt. Miss 
Gardiner.” 

“ I didn’t know anybody had so much !” 

By the time the silver was very creditably 
polished Lonnie’s thoughts reverted to her 
tailoring. 

“ Now, Maggie, don’t you think I better go 
on with Ted’s suit ?” 

“Yes, indeed. You go to work. You can 
bring it out here if you keep everything over 
there out of my way.” 

“ Goody, goody I” and Lonnie was soon cut- 


90 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ting briskly into the skirt. She laid it on the 
floor, kneeled down beside it, and, without any 
hesitation, cut out a pair of trousers about on 
the principle that one would use in cutting out 
those articles for a paper doll. 

The legs were quite long and quite narrow, 
and the seat portion was a mere nothing. Maggie 
had moments of retiring hastily to the pantry 
and laughing in a silent way until the tears 
rolled down her cheeks. 

Lonnie .was mightily satisfied with the per- 
formance. Her mouth twisted first one way, 
and then the other, and her face was quite 
flushed with excitement. 

My ! won’t Ted be pleased,” she thought ; 
such a nice black suit ! He can wear them to 
the funeral if his mother does die — but she 
won’t.” 

She punched her needle in and out with her 
thimbleless fingers, sewing sometimes over and 
over, and sometimes with a sort of a backstitch, 
and ever and anon with a goodly basting stitch 
to help herself along. By the time she had 


A NICE LITTLE TAILOR * 91 

sewed all the seams in some sort of a way, 
leaving little or no chance for any one to get 
inside of them, even supposing there had been 
room to accommodate anything hut broom 
handles, it was near the hour for Miss Joyce’s 
return. 

Come, Lonnie, you’ve worked enough,” said 
Maggie ; “ go give yourself a nice bath, and fix 
yourself as clean as you can, and then you can 
play the piano. I’ll hang these — these — trouser- 
loons ” — with a mighty effort at repose — up for 
you !” 

Lonnie was sincerely obliged. Her patience 
was completely worn out. She had never stuck 
to anything so long before in her life, and she 
made a firm resolve that come what would 
she wouldn’t make any more boys’ suits. 

When Miss Joyce came home she had some 
news for the very clean, and somewhat depressed 
little girl. 

'' We think it is all settled, Lonnie, about 
a place for you. Early next week I am going 
to drive you out to the Rowley farm, not a great 


92 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


way out, and I believe you will be in a nice 
borne. It is a real farm, with cows and horses 
and pigs and chickens, and everything.’’ 

“ Any good sidewalks ?” 

It’s a farm, Lonnie.” 

Well, is it like Walnut Court, or like 
here ?” 

It isn’t like either. There is a great deal 
more land around the house than there is here.” 

Why, mercy me ! there’s land enough 
around this house !” and Lonnie’s eyes flew open 
their widest. 

But this isn’t country at all.” 

It’s country enough for me ! I like other 
folks to live right up tight to the house I live 
in — not so lonesome like this.” 

You’ll see how it is when we get there,” 
said Miss Joyce ; only I know you’ll like it.” 

'‘Of course I’ll like it,” pleasantly; "but I’ll 
be sorry not to see you and Maggie. When I 
grow up I mean to be as nice as Maggie. She 
knows a lot. She thought the pants I made Ted 
were splendid. I’m never going to make any 


A NICE LITTLE TAILOR 


.98 


more, though. I would try them on, only I feel 
sure theyhl bust out, and I wouldidtlike to give 
him ripped open pants, would you ?” 

No, I think I would give them to him the 
way they are.’’ 

You asked him to come out here, didn’t 
you ?” 

“ Yes.” 

Then I guess I better do ’em up nice for 
him, and leave them here, and you can give 
them to him.” 

“ Very well, I will ; that is a good plan.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE KOWLEYS 

The day came for Lonnie to go to the Row- 
leys. She was very much excited a^bout it, 
especially as Miss Joyce had bought her a nice 
little valise, and it was filled with some scraps 
of new clothes. Maggie had baked her some 
cookies and had given her a five-cent brass 
watch as a token of her affection, and though 
Lonnie was very loth indeed to leave the piano, 
she felt much more regretful about leaving 
Maggie. 

Maggie has such a good character,’’ she re- 
marked fervently. 

You like Maggie better than you do me, 
don’t you Lonnie?” laughed Miss Joyce. 

“Why, now. Miss Joyce, I like meat and I 
like apples, and I don’t know which I would 
like the best if I couldn’t have but oue.” 

94 


THE ROWLEYS 


-95 


I’ll forgive you, dear. Come now; all ready,” 
and away they drove. 

“I just would like to know what I’m going 
to get into next,” thought Lonnie resignedly. 

I know it can’t be much worse than Mrs. La- 
kinses, anyway.” 

After a long drive they reached the place. 

The low, rambling white house with its green 
blinds, and its leafless elms in front, and its four 
stiff little green pines along the front walk, 
pleased her very much. They drove up to a 
side door and were greeted in a hurried way by 
Mrs. Rowley. 

“ Is this the little girl ? This her bag ? All 
right. Come in and take a seat, won’t you — 
no? I’m dreadful hurried with the baking, 
and the baby’s cross as two sticks, teething. 
Well, thank you. I’ll write the Board about 
the little girl — Lonnie, you say ? She’ll soon 
feel at home, I guess. The baby’ll be company 
for her. Good-by. Come in, child, and bring 
your valise. I’m too busy to see to you right 
this minute, but take off your hat and wait.” 


96 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


They entered the warm, pleasant kitchen with 
its braided rugs, and a few plants in the south 
window, and the fragrant smell from the oven. 
Lonnie liked it and felt quite at home, as she 
did everywhere, but she sat stiffly on the edge 
of the old sofa until her eyes caught sight of the 
baby sitting like a cob in the corner, his round, 
blue eyes staring severely. ^ 

Oh, my she exclaimed involuntarily. 
What’s the matter ?” 

“The baby — he— he looks as though his 
name was Bennie.” 

“ Well, it is Bennie ! Didn’t some one tell 
you?” 

“No’m. What’s all his name?” 

“Benjamin Cook Bowley — named after his 
grandfather, Benjamin Cook.” 

“ How old is he ?” asked the half-bewildered 
Lonnie. 

“Year and a half, and uncommon backward 
for his age, I’m thinking. Never’s walked a 
step yet, and don’t try to talk more’n to ask for 
a drink or something to eat. But he’s a nice. 


THE ROWLEYS 


* 97 

fat, good baby when his teeth don’t trouble 
liim, though that’s pretty nigh all the time, 
seems like.” 

“ Is that his picture ?” for Lonnie’s sharp 
eyes had singled out a small photograph tacked 
to the wall. 

No, but it looks enough like him. That’s 
my brother’s boy. His name’s Benjamin Cook, 
too, after his grandfather. My brotlier lives in 
Boston. Their Bennie’s two and over.” 

Lonnie perceived now how things were and 
hojDed that Mrs. Cook would not find out her 
whereabouts. She could not for the life of her 
decide whether to make a great effort and do 
such wonderful things that Mrs. Cook would 
hear what a treasure was lost to her, or whether 
to ‘‘just raise hob ” and be sent away where 
she would not be open to the aspersions and 
damaging reminiscences of Mrs. Cook. 

“ Do you often see that other Bennie ?” she 
ventured. 

“ Land no ! It’s regularly unchristian. I 
ain’t seen him for over a year. Mr. Bowley 

7 


98 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


drives up there and takes them a few things 
when he goes to the city and has time ; but I 
don’t get away and they don’t.” 

That was good news, but not wholly reassur- 
ing. 

Bennie’s face had been wrinkling and he 
now emitted a terrific yell and bowed his tow 
head clear to the floor in grief. His mother 
hastily shut-to the oven door and ran to him. 

I can ’tention to him,” said Lonnie involun- 
tarily, and though Mrs. Bowley doubted it, as 
her baby was so timid, Lonnie, with her usual 
knack with children, proved eminently success- 
ful. 

Go ring the bell for dinner now, Lonnie,” 
said Mrs. Bowley, flushed with hurrying the 
meal to the table. 

Where is it?” 

There’s the rope — hangs down that elm 
tree there by the step. We have to call the 
hands to dinner.” 

'' Well, I’m glad of that !” said the astonished. 
Lonnie, and she rang the bell with great zeal. 


THE ROWLEYS 


99 


Mr. Rowley came from the barn ; a dark 
faced, shaggy bearded, squarely built man, with 
rather a gloomy expression. 

So,’’ he said kindly, is this the little 
girl? Welcome! Hope you’ll feel at home,” 
and in he went to souse his face and hands at the 
sink, hunt around blindly for the towel hanging 
where a towel always did hang, smooth out his 
hair, and to sit down at the head of the table. 
Mrs. Rowley showed Lonnie her place, tied the 
relics of a bib around Bennie, and then Lonnie 
noticed that there was another place vacant. 

‘‘ Where’s that boy ?” said Mr. Rowley im- 
patiently ; always late 1” 

At that moment the door opened and in came 
a hoy of eleven or twelve, dark haired and dark 
eyed, squarely built like his father, with a wide 
mouth and square chin, and not a very pleasant 
expression. He slid into his chair without look- 
ing at anybody. His father evidently changed 
his mind about noticing his tardiness. 

This is the little girl, Frank. Her name is 
Lonnie. Can’t you make^her welcome ?” 


100 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Frank looked up with more of a scowl than a 
welcome on his face. Lonnie could not bear 
any stranger to seem to be averse to her, and 
she smiled with the most unmistakable good 
will at him. It seemed contagious, for a 
swift and very beautiful smile crossed the 
boy’s face for an instant, and then he looked 
again at his plate. His father had noticed 
the smile and his own face became more 
cheerful. 

What did they have at school this morn- 
ing, Frank ?” he asked. 

Headin’, cipherin’, writin’, spellin’, jogaphy, 
physiology, grammar.” 

“ Lonnie, you’ll have to start in after Christ- 
mas. Don’t seem worth while for you to begin 
until you learn the new ways here and get used 
to what Mrs. Howley wants you to help her 
about. Quit that monkey shinin’, Bennie. 
You’ll have the whole cover off. He’s a right 
smart baby, now isn’t he, Lonnie ?” 

Oh, he’s beautiful !” was the prompt answer, 
and Mr. Howley wished from the bottoia of his 


THE ROWLEYS 


101 


heart that either one of his children had such a 
pleasant, outspoken disposition. 

After dinner Mrs. Rowley tried to have Lon- 
nie take hold and do a few things, but Lonnie, 
still undecided as to her course, was remaining 
neutral. 

Did you ever wash dishes, Lonnie V’ 

I don’t know how — very well.” 

‘‘ That’s queer ; but then you’re little. Here, 
take the plate this way. My, but you’re awk- 
ward ! How come you to be so awkward ? A 
boy could do better than that. Can you dust ?” 

No’m ; I don’t know how.” 

‘‘Well, any one with ordinary gumption can 
dust. I thought they showed ’em that first 
thing at that Home. Must be a shiftless con- 
cern ! Now go and dust careful in the settin’- 
room — rub everything.” And a little later on 
examining her work : 

“ Well, I never ! What a dawdlin’ piece you 
are. What have you dusted ? Here, let me 
show you. There — now let me see you do it. 
Well, I never ! Why, you’re not worth show- 


102 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ing. You might as well know, first as last, that 
I’m too busy already to make you work. I can 
tell you, when it’s necessary, but that’s all I can 
do. If you’re too stupid to profit by it I can’t 
put up with you. I’ll have to hustle you back 
and get somebody else.” 

Lonnie felt chagrined to have raised such an 
opinion of herself just by her fooling, 'so she 
said : ‘‘ Well, I expect I can learn, if I try 
hard ; and I’m first rate to amuse a baby.” 

Then she took the duster and showed decided 
signs of future ability, and pacified poor Mrs. 
Rowley. 

At night she slept in a little closet-like room 
that opened into the bed-room,” and just across 
the hall was the little room Frank used. Both 
the children were in bed, and Bennie was asleej) 
in his crib, when a visitor came to the kitchen 
door. Lonnie, wide awake, heard all that 
passed. 

I’m very sorry, Mr. Rowley,” said the vis- 
itor, who proved to be a young man, the school 
teacher, but your hoy was not in school this 


THE KOWLEYS 


- 103 


morning, and as you asked me to let you know, 
I thought I’d stop as I was passing. I’m sorry, 
and if there’s anything I can do about it I will.” 

'' Obliged to you, Mr. Long, but I’ll see what 
a good flogging will do. Take a seat. No? 
Good-night. Nice moonlight,” and the door 
was shut. 

Now, father, what are you going to do ?” 
asked Mrs. Rowley, anxiously. 

“ I’m going to give him one good flogging,” 
was the answer in a trembling voice. 

Not now. Why, the boy’s asleep.” 

Yes, now, asleep or not asleep.” 

Can’t you vrait until to-morrow ?” 

No ; I won’t do it if I wait. And I’ve 
come near enough ruining him now. This 
whole fall he’s been doing this thing, and just 
as good as lying about it every time. And 
father and son, we’ve been honest since this 
here township was settled.” 

“ Oh, don’t hurt him !” 

You ought not to mind if I do, Letty. 
You’ve been as kind and good to him as any- 


104 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


body could be, and he’s never given you a 
pleasant word nor look. It just makes me rage.’’ 

Well, lie’ll get over it; boys never do like 
a step-mother.” 

He’s had three years in which to get over 
it. I’m too ashamed of him to hold my head 
up.” 

He nervously ran the strap through his 
fingers and then went to the boy’s room. 

Frank ! get up, I say !” 

What do you want ?” sleepily. 

Wake up and I’ll tell you.” 

I am awake.” 

Mr. Long was here and said you weren’t in 
school to-day. I’ve promised you a hogging 
for tliat sort of thing long enough, and now I’ll 
give it to you. If you’re going to disgrace the 
good old Howley name you sha’n’t be able to say 
I didn’t try to stop you. Now, stand out 
there!” 

One, two, three, four, five — six times fell the 
strap, but almost no sound escaped either 
father or son. 


THE ROWLEYS 105 

‘‘Now, get into bed. And for pity’s sake, 
Frank, don’t make me do this again.” 

Mr. E-owley walked away with rather uneven 
step, took his hat and slammed the outside door 
as he went out to the stable to hide his misery 
with his horses. Mrs. Eowley had taken a 
lamp and gone to the buttery to be out of sight 
and hearing. 

Lonnie listened anxiously ; not a sound. 
She never minded much being hurt herself, but 
she never could stand anything else being hurt. 
Presently she heard a stifled sob. She rose 
hastily and went to Frank’s room. 

“ Oh, Frank, don’t ! don’t feel bad ! Where’d 
it hurt you? Fll help you, Frank !” 

“ What’s the matter with you ?” 

“ Oh ! I didn’t want you to be whipped ! He’s 
a wicked man, and I hate him !” 

“ Take that back ! He is not wicked !” 

“ Oh ! he’s good then ; but don’t feel bad ! 
Does it hurt very much ? I’ve been whipped 
lots and lots of times, and pounded, too.” 

“ He didn’t whip very hard.” 


106 


a:s" odd little lass 


didn’t think he did, either. Oh, Frank! 
don’t cry ; please don’t !” And she rubbed her 
warm little face up against his tear-stained 
cheeks, and hugged him and patted his head. 

I wouldn’t go to school, either ; so there ! 
Horrid place 1” 

It seemed as though Frank was naturally 
contrary. He had been thinking that be hated 
school, and wouldn’t go now, no matter what, 
and that his father was wicked and cruel to whip 
him, and that he would run away to sea and be 
a sailor and a pirate, and never, never, never 
see his father nor his stej)-mother again. How, 
as soon as Lonnie suggested just what he had 
been thinking, he couldn’t help opposing it. 

‘‘ I’d ought to go to school. I won’t know 
anything if I don’t.” 

Well, I’d run away from home. I wouldn’t 
stay where I had such horrid folks.” 

Why, I got good folks 1” 

I thought you didn’t like ’em.” 

And then it seemed to Frank as though he 
not only liked them, but loved them very much. 


THE ROWLEYS 


107 


“Don’t you feel bad, Frank. I love you, 
and I think you’re a nice boy, and I’ll go get 
you pie, or anything you want to eat.” 

“ I’d like a drink.” 

“ All right, I’ll get a drink,” and unerring 
as if she had a lamp, she brought a cup of 
water. 

“ There, is that better? Want any water on 
your hurt places ?” 

“ I don’t hurt any.” 

“ It wasn’t much of a strapping, I guess. Mrs. 
Lakin could show him a thing or two ! AVell, 
I’ll go back to bed if you don’t want anything. 
Don’t you feel bad any more.” 

Later, Mr. Rowley came in, haunted by 
visions of a heart-broken boy, and before going 
to bed he tiptoed softly with shaded lamp to 
Frank’s room. The boy was lying there, sleep- 
ing quietly, all traces of tears and sobs gone. 
His father felt relieved, but muttered to himself, 
“ Never thought twice about it, most likely — I 
knew I was too easy !” 


CHAPTEE IX 


FRANK 

Frank’s belief in liis father’s goodness and 
methods did not last him until the next morn- 
ing. Then the shame of going to the breakfast 
table, of facing his father and mother, whom he 
regarded as partner in, if not instigator, of his 
misfortune, of going to school with Mr. Long 
suspecting that he had been whipped into it, 
rankled within him. His father tried with 
rough awkwardness to put his hand on his 
shoulder, but Frank twisted away, although the 
slight caress had nearly cost him a burst of tears. 
Lonnie squeezed his hand and looked her sym- 
pathy with better success. He sat sullenly 
through breakfast, and then without a word 
to anybody, took his books and started for 
school. 

Well, father, he’s going to school anyway ; 

108 


FRANK 


109 


don’t you be so down-hearted. Everything will 
turn out for the best,” said Mrs. Eowley. 

‘‘You mean well, Letty,” murmured her hus- 
band, “ but I feel like I never did the right 
thing by him once since he was born ; and I 
can’t hold uj) against it.” 

Lonnie had been rather an awed listener. So 
grown folks had feelings, too, and were like 
other folks. Lonnie had never been really in- 
terested before in anybody’s feelings. Now she 
was listening to and watching these people with 
the greatest concern, and without the slightest 
reference to herself; all this had nothing to do 
with herself and seemed to be very absorbing 
in spite of that fact. 

Lonnie was on the lookout for Frank all the 
morning, and as she happened to be sent to the 
barn for eggs just as he appeared in sight, she 
ran to meet him. 

“ C’m’on get eggs with me ! What you feel- 
ing bad about ?” 

“ I’m mad. I’m mad as a hornet. I didn’t 
like the way that old Long looked at me. I 


110 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


know he thought I’d been whipped and came 
to school because I was afraid of another, and I 
wasn’t, neither.” 

‘‘ You ought to fight him !” 

I’m just not going to stay here any more. 
My father don’t like me, nor my step-mother, 
and I’m going.” 

‘‘When?” 

Frank had not planned that far, but he made 
a dash at it and said : “ This very day. I’m 
not going to sleep in that bed and be whipped 
again.” 

“ Where you going?” 

“ Oh, up to Boston,” vaguely. 

“ Where you going to stay ?” 

“ I don’t know ; somewheres.” 

Lonnie shook her head. Some things she 
did know. 

“ That ain’t easy — if you don’t know a j^lace 
to go to. If it came night lots of poor people 
would do for you if you really didn’t have no 
home, but they’d say, ‘Who are you and 
where’d you come from ?’ and when they found 


FRANK 


111 


you had a nice home in the country they’d say, 
‘ Go ’long ; don’t come sponging on us. There’s 
plenty without homes for us to help out ; go 
back to your home and behave yourself.’ 
That’s what everybody says, first lick — behave, 
behave, behave. Makes me tired ! What would 
you do for money ?” 

‘‘ Sell papers, maybe.” 

But you haven’t a license.” 

Frank had never heard of a license. 

Black shoes.” 

But you haven’t any kit, and you couldn’t 
make much of anything anyway. It’s freezing 
cold these nights.” 

I’d go in a store.” 

All the boys wants to go in a store. And 
they say, ‘ Bring your what you call it,’ and 
‘ Who’s your folks ?’ and all such sassy things.” 

I’ll go to sea.” 

Well, then you would wish you were out of 
it! Why, just standing on the Charles bridge 
cuts the bones right out of you ; and they kick 
you right and left. Why, that strapping wasn’t 


112 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


nothing to what Lucy Day told all us girls her 
brother went through with.’’ 

Well, what will I do, then ?” 

“I’ll tell you what I’d do if I was bent to do 
something. I’d just scare my father to fits, so 
that he wouldn’t touch that strap never again, 
nor never say school again long as I lived.” 
“How?” 

“You go to school this afternoon all right, 
books and all, and when you come back don’t 
let a mortal soul see you, and get up here in 
the barn in that up-stairs place wdiere the hay 
is, and hide good in the hay. That’s warm 
enough ; and I’ll come out and bring you the 
greatest lot of things to eat — everything there 
is ; and you can just stay there until your 
father is scared enough, and then you can come 
back and it will be all right.” 

Frank did not think much of the plan as a 
whole, but he reflected that it might do as a 
starter, and that in the morning he could go 
when and where he chose without Lonnie’s 
knowing anything about it. 


FRANK 


113 


Lonnie went in with tlie eggs ; dinner was 
ready and eaten in uncoinfortable silence, except 
by Bennie, who could not understand the unusual 
quiet, and so made equally uncoinfortable noises. 
Mr. Bowley tried desperately to say something 
kind to Frank, but his only remark was re- 
ceived so sulkily that he gave it up in despair. 

Frank took his books and started for school 
again, giving one wistful glance at his father as 
he passed him. His father noticed it, but he 
was not a man quick to act, and he had not 
thought of anything to do about it until Frank 
was already at school. 

He waited around the house for him to come 
home from school, but there was no Frank. 
Lonnie, in the course of the afternoon, had man- 
aged to embezzle enough provisions for a small 
army, and to secrete them in the barn. She 
went up to the loft carrying her plunder, and 
found Frank very comfortably ensconced in a 
little hay cave, but .already tired of the situation. 
He felt as though he had been away from home 
for months. 

8 


114 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘ It’s real good of you, Lonnie, to bring 
me such a lot to eat. I’m . about starved ! 
What do they say about my not coming, at the 
house?” 

“ Why, nothing ! Haven’t noticed it, I 
guess.” 

Frank was disappointed; he felt as though 
they all ought to be sitting weeping, /though 
why he could not have told. 

When supper-time came and no Frank his 
father looked worried. 

‘‘ Oh, he has just stopped at one of the neigh- 
bors,” said Mrs. Rowley, consolingly. He 
felt out of sorts, and he will probably stay away 
as long as he dares.” 

But Mr. Rowley was not to be satisfied. He 
looked up anxiously at every sound, and after 
supper he wandered around the house and ^down 
the road, and finally began calling him over 
and over again in a hopeless way. 

“ You ought not to worry, father,” begged 
Mrs. Rowley. ''He is just acting the way all 
boys act by spells. He has stayed at Bob’s or 


FKANK 


115 


Harry’s, or is just hiding around. He will 
come in before you go to bed.” 

It doesn’t seem like him,” hesitated the 
father. 

Lonnie was sent to bed resolved not to go to 
sleep, but she did. Mrs. Rowley went to bed at 
the usual time and fell into a sound slumber, 
also as usual. 

Lonnie was a light sleeper, and later on in 
the niglit she was aroused. She heard a low 
groan, then another. That was a different 
sound from anything she had ever heard in 
her life. Her heart beat uncomfortably and 
the vertebrae of her back-bone seemed to be 
slioving against each other; she crept softly 
out of bed and looked through the door. The 
lamp stood on the table; beside it sat Frank’s 
father, his head buried in his hands. He 
made another low moan, scarcely audible. Lon- 
nie was thrilled through and through. That 
was too awful. She couldn’t stand it to see 
anything suffer that way. She would go get 
Frank that minute. Putting on her shoes and 


116 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


wrapping one of lier quilts about her, she very 
quietly slipped out through the shed door and 
sped along in the brilliant moonlight toward 
the barn. The trees, the fences, all the small 
buildings, the grindstone and saw-buck and 
wood pile, and all the common, every-day 
things stood out with startling distinctness, yet 
with an unfamiliar air. Lonnie had' never 
known fear in her life and she entered the 
gloomy barn Avithout a tremor. The rustling 
and breathing of the cattle sounded strangely ; 
she climbed the loft ladder, then called : 

Frank 
' No answer. 

Frank 

‘‘What?’’ called a sleepy, half-frightened 
voice. 

“Oh, Frank, come over here to me. I’m by 
the ladder.” 

“What you doing up here, Lonnie?” and 
Frank came groping toward her, until he had 
grown accustomed to the dim moonlight as it 
sifted through the small openings in the gables. 


FKANK 


117 


^^Oh, Frank, your father feels so bad! I 
heard him groan frightful ; it woke me up and 
I looked, and I most cried, he feels so had ; and I 
know he^s crying — and he felt so bad at supper. 
Please come, Frank; come and make him feel 
better. Nothing will do hut that ! Come, now. 
I’ll take you ! I’ll fix it all right. I’ll tell 
him it was my fault. Don’t he afraid.” 

Who’s afraid ?” was the gruff reply. “ I’m 
coming, if you’ll only go along.” 

So down they went and Frank’s heart thumped 
wildly ; his father feeling badly — for him ! Now 
that it was so — that his father did mind — it was 
no joke at all. It was too awful. Hand-in- 
hand they ran to the house. Lonnie led the 
way through the shed, and as they stood in the 
kitchen door, the lamplight shining full on 
them, the haggard faced man heard the noise and 
slowly turned. 

Oh, Frank !” he murmured, half rising ; hut 
Frank had made one bound toward him, and 
with a wild sob of father I” was close in his 


arms. 


118 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“ Oh, father, I’m so sorry,” said he brokenly. 

You oughtn’t to forgive me, but I know you 
will. And I ought to have had ten dozen whip- 
pings instead of just one, and I wish you’d give 
me one now — this minute. I’ll get you the strap.” 

Sh ! Don’t, Frank, I never can again, no 
matter what happens. I thought it was my 
duty, but I had rather never do my duty again. 
Oh, Frank, you’ll never go away from me — 
that way. I don’t believe I could live through 
it.” 

Then Frank had to cry some more at that, 
and vow his father was the best in the world. 

‘^But how did you come back just then, 
Frank ?” asked his father finally, the question 
occurring to him for the first time. 

Lonnie went and brought me. She knew I 
was in the barn, and she knew you felt bad, and 
she came and made me come in to tell you I was 
sorry.” 

It was Lonnie?” in an astonished voice. 

‘‘Yes, Lonnie.” 

“ Lonnie, child, where are you ?” 


FKANK 


119 


“ Here/^ from near the stove. 

‘‘ Come over here, Lonnie, I want to see you ; 
keep that quilt around you, for it isn’t very 
warm here.” 

Lonnie sidled slowly toward him. 

“ Here,” and he lifted her on to one knee, 
while Frank occupied the other. ‘‘I want to 
talk to you, too. You’ve lifted a three-years’ 
load of sorrow from my heart this night. You’ve 
done for me what fortune, nor health, nor any- 
thing I’ll ever have could do for me. I’m a 
Rowley myself, and I never forget what’s been 
done for me — never. I’m your friend ; your 
good friend for your life, no matter what may 
come to you.” 

Lonnie was staring with all her eyes.’ Noth- 
ing ever had moved her like this night’s doings, 
and now seemed to come the climax, for Mr. 
Rowley’s deep voice was very grave and kind 
and serious — what could he say next ? 

This very day,” he went on, never taking his 
eyes from her’s and holding her’s irresistibly, 
‘‘ I had a letter from iny wife’s brother in Bos- 


120 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ton — from Benjamin Cook, of Walnut • Court. 
He said that Mrs. Cook had been to the Home 
to inquire about you, and tliat she learned you 
were to come here. She didn’t want anything 
written here about you, but Ben 'was angry and 
he wrote. He wrote what you did at their house. 
Xow, the Bowleys hate stealing and dishonesty 
and meanness and trickery as much as they do 
murder. There’s nothing could have been told 
me about anybody that would turn me quicker 
against them than that. But I say to you,” 
slowly and solemnly, I’m your friend. I’m 
going to stick by you, 'whatever you do. If 
you do — such things — right here in my house, 
you’re going to be forgiven and helped. You 
never need to feel afraid of me. Maybe that 
was chance. Maybe that wasn’t your real 
nature. But if it was, if you’re ever so tempted 
again, you come to me on the minute and I’ll 
help you. And tliis is your home — your real, 
true home — your own home, and I want you to 
make it so, and claim it, and be a daughter, a 
loving daughter, to my wife. Now, dear, I know 


FRANK 


121 


you won’t forget this ; and you slip to bed and 
warm up before you catch the pneumonia.” 

And Lonnie, with honestly quivering lips, 
and real honest heart-moved tears, silently did 
as she was bid. 

Frank’s arms went tightly around his father’s 
neck and his lips close to his father’s ear : Say, 
father, I won’t run away from school any more ” 
^long pause. And say, father, I’m going to 
be decent to mother. She’s been awful good to 
me.” 

‘‘Oh, Frank, you’ll bring peace and comfort 
into this house if you’ll only stick to that,” was 
the quick answer. “ I’ve prayed the good Lord 
for that until my heart’s just failed me.” 

“Oh, I’m the meanest — !” groaned Frank. 

“ ISTo, you’re a good boy. I always said so,” 
was the prompt reply. Then his father went 
with him to his little room and staid beside him 
until he was in bed, and then could not make 
up his mind to leave him until the tired boy 
had fallen asleep. 

But even after Mr. Bowley himself had fallen 


122 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


into a sound slumber j^oor Lonnie was crying 
to herself. 

Now she had a home and one that she knew 
she wanted. She had a friend and one that she 
suddenly had become aware she cared for. She 
was not going to be disgraced by anything the 
Cooks could say, and she meant to try to please 
Mrs. Rowley. ' 

^‘I’m just going to be the very best little girl 
in this world,” she virtuously resolved ; but it 
was at least an hour before she could go to sleep. 


CHAPTEE X 


A RED-LETTER DAY 

Mrs. Eowley gave a scream of terror. 

‘‘Lonnie, quick! Call somebody, quick! 
quick !” 

Lonnie gave a spring for the door, leaving 
the coffee-pot in a most precarious position, 
and jerked the bell-rope in the elm tree with 
startling energy. Mr. Eowley and Frank 
were both at the barn waiting for breakfast, 
and she hoped that would bring them in a 
hurry. Back she went to the kitchen. Mrs. 
Eowley was still wringing her hands in despair 
before Bennie, who was black in the face from 
choking. 

Wondering why the terrified woman had not 
done anything Lonnie rolled Bennie over, 
slapped him, shook him, and tried in vain to 
hold the heavy child up by his heels. 

123 


124 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


^^He’s swallyd it, anyway,’’ slie remarked, 
breathless with her exertions, as the child’s 
eyes ceased rolling, his face became a more nat- 
ural color, and his breathing began again. 

In rushed Mr. Kowley — “ What is the mat- 
ter?” and Frank crying, ‘‘Oh, what is it?” 

“ He’s swallowed it ! He’s swallowed it !” 
wailed Mrs. Rowley. “ He’ll die ! Oh, my ! 
Oh, my !” 

“ SwalloAved what ?” and Mr. Rowley picked 
the exhausted child up and began to feel of 
him. 

“ It was a safety-pin and it was wide open ! 
Oh, oh !” 

“Frank, you ride for the doctor anyway, 
quick as you can !” 

“ Oh, he’ll die before the doctor comes ! If it 
hadn’t been for Lonnie he’d be dead now !” 
and Mrs. Rowley, wholly unnerved, began to 
cry hysterically. 

“ I know what to do,” said Lonnie, eagerly. 
“I know just what a doctor said to do. You 
mash up them potatoes just as quick’s ever you 


A RED-LETTER DAY 


125 


can,” pointing to the dish of potatoes boiled 
with their jackets on, smoking on the stove. 
‘‘ Skin ’em and mash ’em, quick !” and she pro- 
ceeded to do it herself, while Mrs. Rowley help- 
lessly tried to follow suit. 

‘‘What’s that for, Lonnie?” asked Mr. Row- 
ley, feeling as though Lonnie was their only 
hope until tlie doctor could be brought. 

“ You chirk Bennie up so he’ll want to eat. 
We can’t make him if he won’t. There was a 
little girl lived next to us once, and she done 
that vei’y identical thing — swallyd an open 
safety-23in. And my, but there was a howdy- 
do ! And a doctor was right in the next room 
with Mis’ Jenks’ rheumatics, and he says, 
‘ Feed her mashed potatoes jes’ as long as she’ll 
take ’em,’ and she was mighty hearty, and we 
all fed ’em to her. My, you’d thought she’d 
busted ! And she was all right, and the pin 
didn’t hurt her a bit.” 

“ Why not ?” inquired Mrs. Rowley, interested 
out of her tears. 

“ Oh, I don’t know everything,” impatiently. 


126 


AK ODD LITTLE LASS 


but the potato wrapped itself all around the 
pin, and kept it from jagging her insides. Here 
Bennie — um-urn — good; cream and salt and 
butter on it ! My, how good it looks.’’ Bennie 
opened his cunning little mouth and took a little 
like a bird. The taste suited him exactly and 
he straightened up for more, Mr. Rowley un- 
consciously working his own mouth in unison, 
so anxious was he lest Bennie’s appetite should 
fail him. But Bennie seemed to be built hearty, 
like the other safety-pin child, for he was still 
eating, though in a satiated manner, when the 
doctor came. 

Well, he isn’t going to die this minute for 
certain,” laughed the doctor, taking in at a glance 
the anxipus group — Mr. Rowley still holding 
Bennie, Mrs. Rowley sitting close by whipping 
up the potato with a fork, and Lonnie on her 
knees before Bennie, coaxing down the soft, 
creamy looking puffs of potato; and Bennie, 
red-cheeked and fat, lazily absorbing the same. 

Frank’s face looked natural for the first time 
since he had started for the doctor. He had 


A PvED-Lf:TTER DAY 


127 


been overwhelmed by the idea that Bennie was 
going to die as a judgment on him for his con- 
tumacy. 

'‘Lonnie said to feed him potato/' said the 
anxious father, still scarcely daring to take his 
eyes from his youngest. 

"Well, well! Out of the mouths of babes 
and sucklings — judging from the size of her ! 
Lonnie, you’ll have to be a doctor yourself 
when you are grown, you have so much good 
horse sense. That’s what we need — horse 
sense. Bowley, you just ought to keep that 
cliild around if she has a head on her 
shoulders. For of all the scatter-brained fami- 
lies when anything happens, this one beats 
the whole township. Fact 1 Looks to me, Mrs. 
Joe, as if that child would mightily profit by 
a sleep. He’ll drop right off* if you lay him. 
down. And as I was hurried off* here for 
nothing, without any breakfast. I’ll just sit and 
take a bite with you; though I must say your 
breakfast has got past its prime by an hour or 


more. 


128 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Oil, I’ll have you a good breakfast in no 
time !” said Mrs. Rowley energetically, miracu- 
lously regaining her spirits now that the tower of 
strength in time of trouble, the doctor, had aiD- 
peared on the scene. I’ll lay him in his crib 
and we’ll eat soon. Take a seat, doctor ; take a 
seat !” 

Yes, do,” added Mr. Rowley, wondering how 
he had forgotten that item, handing Bennie over 
to his wife,, and trying to straighten out his 
stiffened back. 

Mrs. Rowley covered the baby’s face with 
kisses, and began preparations for a new meal. 

Lonnie, highly elated by all that had hap- 
pened, and especially by the doctor’s remarks, 
skipped around in her liveliest fashion, and 
fairly i^aralyzed Mrs. Rowley by her deftness. 
•That this child was the same as the awkward 
little creature of yesterday was difficult to be- 
lieve. It does beat all, Lonnie, how smart you 
are ! I never dreamt it, seeing you yesterday.” 

Lonnie realized then that she had forgotten 
the role she had assumed, and that now she had 


A KED-LETTEll DAY 


129 


shown she really could do things. On the 
whole she was glad of it ; she liked to work if 
she had company, and she did dearly love to 
astonish people and be praised. 

After they had all taken their places at tlie 
breakfast table and the doctor was ‘enjoying his 
bacon and eggs and coffee, Mrs. E-owley went 
to take a look at Bennie. While she was gazing 
with adoring affection at the fat little chunk in 
the crib, Frank said shyly by her side : Ihn 

awful glad he’s all right, mother.” 

Ob, Frank !” exclaimed the startled woman ; 
and realizing all that those few words would 
-mean to her and to Bennie, and to her husband 
and all of them, she sat down in the nearest 
chair and buried her face in her floury apron. 

<< I’m going to try getting along without 
making you so much trouble,” said Frank awk- 
wardly, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. 

‘‘ Oh, Frank !” was all the poor woman could 
say, and that was all that ever was said ; but the 
wet blanket seemed to be suddenly lifted from 
all their troubled family relations. 

9 


130 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Life looked so pleasant to Mrs. Rowley tliat 
day that she felt in a mood to celebrate. 

‘‘I just declare, Lonnie,’’ she remarked as 
they did up the dinner dishes together, we’ve 
just never had any sort of entertainin’ since I 
married Mr. Rowley. We didn’t seem to think 
of it the first year, and then Bennie coinin’ 
along, and being right cantankerous, and — well, 
we didn’t seem to feel to be very entertainin’ 
people. And now I’d like to have in all the 
folks, and set table for fifteen or twenty, and 
have things ! Nobody’s better able than we. 
Mr. Rowley’s just as forehanded and thrivin’, 
and not a speck close. He don’t know what 
close means. Now, I’d like to have in the doctor 
and the minister, and Deacon Brewster and 
Deacon Hart, and the teacher and the Riders, 
and my Brother Ben, from Boston, and more 
I’ll think of. I just would !” 

Oh, do !” said Lonnie, fervently. jes’ love 
company !” 

‘‘ To be sure ; and if you was to set out you’d 
be a right smart help to me, too. I just set the 


A RED-LETTEK DAY 


131 


greatest store by baking and cooking and all, 
and there ain’t a better for miles around here — 
and you could have a finger in it all.” 

Oh ! when would you have it — to-morrow ?” 

Hear the child ! City folk just don’t know 
the first thing about getting a real lay-out! 
Why, I’d want weeks, I declare, to have all the 
plum puddin’s and pound cake and fruit cake, 
and all the things I’d have. I’d be lavish ! ” 
‘‘Oh, do!” 

“ Now, I’d love to have it Thanksgivin’, and 
here it is right on us. Come all unawares ! And 
the next thing’s Christmas. We wouldn’t be 
a speck hurried gettin’ ready for Christmas. 
Since I been here we just haven’t had nothing 
at all for Christmas, like anything. And Mr. 
Rowley he tells how they used to do — his folks. 
You see his folks kept Christmas. Lots didn’t 
in New England. Mine didn’t, way back — 
thought it was Popish, most like. But the 
Rowleys were English, and they just stuck to it 
through thick and thin to do great things 
Christmas.” 


132 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Oh, do r 

‘‘He knows a lot, Mr. Rowley does, about 
how to do ; and this house, you know, is sort of 
built around the old house to begin with, and this 
room and the settin’-room was all one, and that 
fire-place in there is just a little one fixed in over 
the great big one of old days ; and I think it 
would be an easy matter to have that taken 
right out, and have the big one, and have a log 
and all, same as used to be. Maybe not. But 
I think Joe would like it. I do. And if ever 
a man deserved to have things the way he 
liked, once in a while, it's Joe Rowley. It cer- 
tainly is !” 

“ Let's have it ! I'll help." 

“ We'll just do it ! And Mr. Rowley can see 
he married a woman that could cook, if she's no 
mortal good at anything else." 

“ Who said you weren't?" and there stood Mr. 
Rowley in the -tloorway, smiling his broadest. 
“I'vebeen so rooted to the spot hearingabout that 
dinner I could neither budge nor speak. Let's 
have it. Let's have it all ! We've been mightily 


A RED-LETTER DAY 


138 


prospered, and let’s liave a regular old Clirist- 
mas set-to ; and have some one, or more, to help 
you, Letty ; I never feel’s though you were over 
and above strong.” 

‘‘Yes, I’m strong if I’ve a light heart. And 
Lonnie bids fair to be a wonderful help with 
the baby. There’s nothing like having some- 
body pleasant around a baby, so I can get a bit 
of peace and do things without feeling so hur- 
ried. I think women would. feel more heart 
about their babies — pleasure in ’em, I mean — if 
it wasn’t such terrible wrestlin’ work to fetch 
’em along day and night till they get to be two 
or three years old.” 

“ Oh, I’ll care for Bennie lovely while you 
cook those elegant things, Mrs. Bowley !” 

“ It Avorries me, child, to hear you Mrs. Bow- 
leyin’ me. Call me Aunt Letty and him Uncle 
Joe — it sounds more human-like.” 

“That’s riglit; do!” beamed Mr. Bowley. 

Lonnie was always Avell suited to be in the 
thick of things Avherever she was, and the 
uncle and aunt business exactly suited her. 


134 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


That was having folks. She wished Ted could 
hear that — and hear about that feast. 

Yah gurgled Bennie. He had been sit- 
ting on the floor sucking a spoon. Everybody 
looked at him, and, as though impressed by the, 
solemnity of the occasion and by his own position 
as the observed of all observers, he laboriously 
took hold of a chair near him, pulled himself 
up beside it, smiled benevolently in turn at each 
electrified persoji, and then, with a chuckle, 
waving his fat arms, he staggered unevenly a 
few steps toward his father. 

Bless my soul !” ejaculated Mr. Bowley as 
he caught him. I thought that child never 
would walk 

Mrs. Rowley ran to embrace the small hero, 
and Lonnie, glorying in this further excitement, 
tore frantically from the house, shouting, 
Frank! Bennie’s walked! Frank! Frank! 
Bennie walked all alone !” 

So Frank came in and they tried to have 
Bennie do it again, but he simply squatted on 
the floor and made himself as heavy as possible. 


A RED-LETTER DAY 


135 


though looking with conscious pride at all his 
relations. 

If I had a bit of red silk, and a good 
keepin^ calendar,” said Mrs. Rowley, ‘‘ I’d just 
sew it tlirough this day. Seems like I never 
was so light-hearted !” 


CHAPTEE XI 


A day's outing 

Now, Frank, tliis is wliat I call a day to 
my mind ! Frosty and clear, and sunny and 
sharj), and mellow, everything a day should be ; 
suits me!" And Mr. Eowley clicked content- 
edly to his horses without expecting them to 
take the slightest notice of it. He was taking 
a load of windfalls to the city. 

The Eowley homestead, with its outlying 
orchards, its good, tight farm buildings, well 
kept corn and wheat fields, and the mowing 
and all, was in plain sight behind them from the 
top of the hill they were now on. 

Pete and Bill look good, don’t they ?’’ con- 
tinued Mr. Eowley. I like to see a sleek, 
comfortable horse." 

Eider says you stuff ’em with too much hay 
— that they’re awful lazy." 


136 


A day’s outing 


137 


‘‘Eider, indeed! Jake Eider will have to 
jump in his socks this good while yet before he 
can show cattle and horses like Joe Eowley 1” 

“ Bob Eider said his father could beat you 
any day drivin’ a bargain.” 

“ And what’d you say ?” 

“ Nothin’. I just hit him,” simply. 

“ An’ him fourteen, if he’s a day !” Mr. 
Eowley laughed and slapped his son on the 
back. “Now, Frank,” more seriously, “Bob 
Eider only just about told the truth. Father 
nor son, no Eowley ever sought to take advan- 
tage drivin’ a sharp bargain. Nobody ever 
drove a sharp bargain against us — that was 
never said — but a Eowley never boasted nor 
tried to drive a close bargain against others. 
Fair and honest and square, with neighbor or 
friend or enemy, if the Eowley s ever had a 
motto — and it’s said they did way back in 
Eno^land — that ought to have been it. There was 
just one of us, so far’s ever I heard tell, that 
was at all out of the way, and that’s John Eow- 
ley, my brother, and he’s been this fifteen year 


138 AN ODD LITTLE LASS 

out West, with nobody hearing from him. 
There wasn’t nothin’ bad about John Kowley 
neither, just restless and rovin’. There, now, 
this is our last sight of our place, just nine 
miles from the city. Pretty sight now, ain’t it, 
Frank?” 

Course it is. Wind’s cold up here.” 

Cornin’ up, sure’s I live. It will be a nip- 
per going home if it isn’t at our backs. But 
we have been having it mild for second week in 
December. I declare, if I didn’t know better 
I’d say the apples under this seat kept kicking 
my feet. 

Frank burst into a laugh, which he vainly 
tried to stifle. 

“ Wliat are you laughing at ? ” 

Oh, nothin’ much ! ” 

Well, seems to liit you just right. Glad to 
see you laugh. We Bowleys never seem to be 
merry-hearted like we ought. That Lonnie, 
now — she’s light-hearted as a bird, whether she 
ought to be or not. She just makes my hair 
stand on end with her rattlin’ tongue and her 


A day’s outing 


139 


sass and her songs. Confound those apples, how 
they do act!” Seized by a sudden impulse, he 
leaned over and looked under the seat, then over 
the seat; gave a poke at a gunny sack, and 
was met by an enraged, Quit poking me ! ” 
The sack began a convulsive wriggling, and out 
popped Lonnie’s head, her blue yarn hood very 
much awry, and her cheeks as red as the apples. 

I swan I ” 

Frank was just shouting with laughter. 

Lonnie, now,” reproachfully, what are you 
doing here ? ” 

Well, Uncle Joe, I wanted to go to town, and 
I just knew if I asked you, you’d say, ‘Ask Aunt 
Letty, child, ’ ” imitating his voice so that he 
smiled in spite of himself, “ and she’d say, ‘ Now, 
father, I think she’d best stay here and com- 
pany Bennie, and not go traipsing off to the city 
’long o’ you men folks.’ ” The smile on Mr. 
Bowley’s face changed to a broad grin, while 
Frank doubled himself all over with fun. “ And 
you’d say,” pointing an indignant finger at him, 
“ ‘ you stay home this time, like a good girl, 


140 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Lonnie, and next time Uncle Joedl take 
you.’ ” 

Her last imitation was of Mr. Rowley’s most 
helplessly cajoling accents, and Frank seemed 
on the verge of a convulsion. 

What’d you want to come for, Lonnie?” 

^‘Honest now. Uncle Joe, I’ll tell you. I’ve 
saved up fifteen cents, and I heard you were go- 
ing to Mrs. Cook’s to take her a few apples, and 
I thought I’d like to take her that fifteen cents 
I charged up at tlie meat shop and spent mak- 
ing her Bennie sick. ” 

Well, now, who’d a thought ! ” 

“You see,^’ confidentially, “I could liave 
waited till you’d be ready to take me, like you’d 
have said if I had asked to go, but I was 
afraid you wouldn’t go there again before Christ- 
mas; and they’re all coming out Christmas, and 
I’d be afraid every minute, with so many people 
there, Mr. Cook would begin and tell all he 
knew about me and my doings, and I thought if 
I could only just give him his fifteen cents be- 
fore Christmas maybe lie’d be satisfied not 


A day's outing 141 

to be so smart. He's a terrible bard man, I 
think.’' 

‘‘ That's long-headed, for sure ; but you don't 
feel about it the way I would, certain. How- 
somever, you're small, very." 

I can walk back easy enough now," said 
Lonnie, knowing she wouldn't have to. 

“Oh, I guess you might as well go along, 
now you've got this far. Don’t you go to any 
monkey-shinin', will you ?" 

“ No, having a ride to town and going to 
Walnut Court in my new hood's monkey-shin- 
in’ enough for me for one day. I hope I’ll see 
Ted !" 

“ Frank," said his father suspiciously, “ did 
you know Lonnie was along?" 

“ Course. I tucked her in. I knew she 
wouldn't get to go any other way, and Lonnie 
gets terrible tired doing house work right along." 

“ Do you, Lonnie ?" 

“ You try it yourself and see." 

“ I thoimht ^irls and women folks was made 

O O 

that way." 


142 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


I wasn’t made right way, then.” 

“ You see, father, Lonnie’s mighty aggravatin’ 
to mother about the work lots of times, pretty 
near drives her crazy. I don’t see how she 
stands it; but when it comes to tendin’ Bennie 
Lonnie never flickers, and mother’s so afraid 
he’ll breathe a little air she keeps him right at 
the house, and Lonnie, too. Why, Bennie’s 
gettin’ real j^ale to what he was since it turned 
cold. You’d just ought to persuade mother to 
let Bennie be out, and then Lonnie’d have a 
real good time, even if she did have to lug Ben- 
nie around, and mother’d like it, too, once she 
saw Bennie lived through it.” 

It might make him sick.” 

“Oh, pshaw, father! I’ve just asked lots of 
people, because I wanted to know, and every- 
body says mother’ll make Bennie sick, because 
she’s so easy scared about him.” 

“ We’ll see — we’ll see about it.” 

As they drew near the city Lonnie became 
greatly excited. The country was all well 
enough, but for her part give her the city. 


A day’s outing 


143 


She wanted to see people, all sorts of people, 
whether she knew who they were or not. She 
wanted to hear city noises. Cocks and chickens, 
and cows and horses and sheep — their noises 
were interesting enough as long as you didn’t 
know what they were, but day after day they 
grew excessively tiresome. And no police, 
and no patrol, and no ambulance — no anything 
worth mentioning. She was quite afire with 
love of the city. 

The very dogs in the street looked more in- 
teresting to her than the country dogs. The 
sights and sounds in the market while Mr. 
Rowley disposed of his apples filled her with 
joy. She drank it in. And she was so hilar> 
ously entertaining that Frank stayed near her 
to get the benefit of it. 

Now, you youngsters, all aboard for Wal- 
nut Court !” 

Just before they reached Cambridge Street 
Lonnie suddenly grew quite pale and shrank 
close to Mr. Rowley. ‘‘Oh, Uncle Joe,” she 
half whispered, “do you suppose Mrs. Lakin’s 


144 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


back ill Walnut Court — will she see me? Could 
she make me stay?” 

Sure enough, I wonder if she is back and 
would make any trouble! She iior anybody 
couldn’t get you while I’m around. Wouldn’t 
you like to be with her again ?” 

She had not thought of it before — except per- 
haps to remember this or that amusing^ episode 
dating from Mrs. Lakin’s time ; but now with a 
vividness that made her feel faint she realized 
the Lakin life on one hand, a sort of pariah 
existence, the very pleasures of a more or less 
forbidden character, the daily, hourly insincerity, 
the subterfuges, the opposition and dislike of all 
decent neighbors, the roughness and carousing 
and untidiness, the hand-to-mouth condition of 
life, the hated landlord, the wordy fights with 
all butchers and grocers — all that and more on 
one side ; and on the other, the self-respecting, 
clean, useful, friendly, thrifty way of living of 
the Rowleys, the considerate home life, the right 
interests, the peace and goodness and sureness of 
it all. It was all like a flash. 


A DAY S OUTING 


145 


‘‘ You keep me, Uncle Joe,'' she said in a half 
frightened way, and he was deeply touched. 

‘‘ You will be perfectly safe with me, child ; 
don't think any more about it," he said, quietly. 

If there isn't Lonnie Lakin in good comfort- 
able clothes, fresh and chipper looking as you 
can think, and with a real nice-looking man and 
boy! What next?" That was only one re- 
mark among many as Lonnie, again jubilant, 
made her way through Walnut Court. 

Mr. Rowley, as I'm alive ! " ejaculated Mrs. 
Cook, when they arrived at her door with a sack 
of apples. ‘M'm proud to see you, and Frank, 
too ; and, bless me, is this Lonnie ! Well, I 
must say I'm glad to see the child, though I 
didn't suppose once I ever would be." 

‘‘ Now, you know, Mrs. Ben, sometimes we 
have to let bygones be bygones. I just brought 
up a few apples, as fine as you'll find in Bos- 
ton." 

A little figure standing on a chair by the win- 
dow had turned expectantly at the sound of so 
much talking, Lonnie went toward him and 

10 


146 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


took off her hood. After a second's puzzled 
hesitation, the little fellow cried out, My Non- 
nie ! Nonnie come hack to Bennie ! " and he 
began to jump up and down in his excitement. 

Well, who'd a thought it !" exclaimed Mr. 
Rowley ; that little mite of a fellow, after all 
this time ! " 

Yes, he just never would stop talking about 

! 

Lonnie. He drove me clear distracted the first 
week after she was gone." 

‘‘ Now, that's remarkable, I say." 

Oh, you see she was always smiling at him, 
and joining right in with whatever he wanted, 
and I'm worried to death to do right by him, and 
always at him with a ‘ don't,' or ‘oh, my ! ' or 
something. He just enjoyed Lonnie mightily." 

“ I got something for you, Mrs. Cook," said 
Lonnie, coming over to her, while Mr. Rowley 
and Frank, suspecting an embarrassment that 
Lonnie was far from feeling, occupied them- 
selves with Bennie. 

“ You have ? " 

“ Yes," drawing off her mitten and extracting 


A day’s outing 


147 


three nickels ; here’s your fifteen cents I 
charged up at the meat shop and spent; and 
won’t you please get Mr. Cook not to tell the 
minister and the doctor and all the people 
Christmas, when you come, about it? Because 
Mr. E-owley would be that ashamed and morti- 
fied it would be mean.” 

“ Oh, he won’t say anything ; but wouldn’t 
you be ashamed and mortified ? ” 

Me ? Oh, come ; you’re foolin’ ! ” 

Come on, father ; let’s go buy my suit,” 
whispered Frank to his father, for he was to 
have a spick-span new Boston suit. 

Oh, lets ! ” for Lonnie heard it. Say, Mrs. 
Cook, where’s Ted ? ” 

He still stays at Tommy Clark’s. He just 
won’t go to school, but he says when he makes 
enough money on his papers to buy a suit he 
will go. Seems as though that boy got thinner 
and thinner and more solemn-like every day. I 
believe you were the only one ever put any 
laugh in him. ” 

'' Poor little fellow ! ” said Mr. Kowley, com- 


148 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


passionately. I know Lonnie counted on see- 
ing him, too.’’ 

Oh, we will see him. Uncle Joe. He’s sure 
to be down corner of Park and Tremont waiting 
around with his papers. Ted just loves to wait 
around.” 

What about Mrs. Lakin ?” 

Mrs. Cook shook her head. 

‘‘ Her leg didn’t do very badly, they say, but 
she was at a sort of point to break up, and she’s 
got other things set in, and they do say she’s 
very low indeed. I’m greatly afraid she’s far 
from being prepared.” 

If she’d a doctor like ours she’d be prepared 
mighty quick, wouldn’t she. Uncle Joe?” said 
Lonnie, loftily, as to her prepared was pretty 
much on a par with cured. 

How’s Bennie Bowley ?” asked Mrs. Cook. 

His stomach ever trouble him ?” 

My, no,” answered Lonnie, promptly, ‘‘you’d 
just be scandalized to see him. He sets around 
on the floor and makes a hearty meal ofP little 
bits of coal and string and buttons and parings. 


A day’s outing 


149 


or anything that’s been dropped on the floor by 
accident, and then his mouth’s wide open wait- 
ing for some gingerbread to drop into it ; and 
then he’s hollerin’ for dinner, and ready to 
begin after that on pins and ashes and bits of 
paper and such like again.” 

For mercy sake !” and Mrs. Cook surely did 
look scandalized. 

Come on, do let’s go, father,” put in Frank 
again ; all the suits will be gone before we get 
there.” 

That’s so. Day to you, Mrs. Ben. I’ll be 
in for you the day before Christmas. Good-by, 
little Bennie.” 

To please Lonnie they went by Ted’s stand, 
and there he was as usual. 

'' Oh, Ted, I’m so glad to see you ! I’m just 
so glad I don’t know what to do !” she cried, 
running toward him. 

I just believe I’m glad to see you, too, Lon- 
nie,” he said, quizzically, “ blue hood and all.” 

‘'And, Ted, this is Uncle Joe Eowley and 
this is his boy, Frank Rowley.” 


150 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘ ’Do/’ and Ted put his hand to his cap. 

Mr. Kowley was at once attracted by Ted’s 
thin, humorous, yet pathetic face, and could not 
help comparing the slender, poorly-clad little 
fellow with his own square-shouldered, muscu- 
lar, well-cared-for Frank. 

You didn’t live long at your mansion with 
the servants and carriages, did you, Lopnie?” 
asked Ted, with a twinkle in his eyes. 

‘^Oh, I was just boarding there a few days,” 
-with a toss of her head, “ and there wasn’t but 
one servant and one team anyway.” 

‘‘ Yes, I know. I’ve been out there.” 

‘^Oli, have you? How’s Miss Joyce?” 

‘‘Boss!”. 

“ Say, Ted, we’re going to buy Frank a suit, 
and haven’t you got money enough for yours yet ? 
Can’t you come along with us? Uncle Joe’s 
so nice to go with. Uncle Joe, give me that 
apple I -put in your pocket. Here, Ted, isn’t 
that the 2)rettiest apple you^ever did see? Say, 
haven’t you money enou^ ? ” 

“ I got all but a quarter for the suit I’m after.” 


A DAYS OUTING 


151 


Good/’ said Mr. Rowley ; come right along 
with us and we’ll heat ’em out of the quarter.” 

Who talked about driving a bargain ? ” put 
in Frank. 

“ Sh-h ! Got your money with you, Ted ? ” 
Oh, yes, I always carry it. It’s in a little 
bag under my shirt.” 

They went to the clothing store Ted wanted 
to go to, and as it was the largest affair on 
Washington Street, it suited Frank and Mr. 
Rowley admirably. As Ted knew just exactly 
what he wanted, and as to his amazement when 
he asked the clerk the price of it the price 
proved to be the exact sum he possessed, he 
bought the suit at once, retired to adorn him- 
self, and returned to the admiring group a very 
nice-looking boy indeed. Even his expression 
seemed improved. 

The next business was to fit out Frank, and 
that was an ordeal indeed. Lonnie would have 
liked the most pronounced thing in the store ; 
and everything there was looked too fine to 
Mr. Rowdey, and he was sure they wouldn’t 


152 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


wear. The clerk waiting on them finally went 
for another clerk, who seemed to be an expert 
with country boys, and the very first time he 
tried he picked out a suit that seemed irre- 
proachable to all concerned. Lonnie could see 
it fitted excellently well ; Frank could see that he 
wouldn’t be ashamed to wear it before the boys, 
and his father could see that the pric^, suited 
him, and that the cloth was of a cast-iron de- 
scription likely to wear. 

Mr. Rowley wanted Ted to go with them to 
dinner, and they went to the little eating-house 
near the market, where Mr. Rowley had ap- 
peased his appetite for fifteen years past. 

‘‘ Oyster stews for four ; rousers !” was his 
order, as he gazed with a beaming countenance 
at the three children. Nobody ever sat down 
with three finer,” he assured himself ; and the 
fun that went on at that table made people smile 
for ever so far around. 

This beats that time with Miss Joyce, don’t 
it, Ted ? ” said Lonnie, in a low tone. 

‘‘ Yes, and good reason why,” was his heart- 


A day's outing 


153 


less answer. “Then you just spent your 
time bragging about what wasn’t so, and now 
you’ve got the sense to let things be as they 
are.” 

“ There wasn’t any ‘ are ’ then,” was the calm 
reply. “ It had to be made up or nothin’. I 
wish you lived out at the farm !” 

“ What’s that, Lonnie ?” asked Mr. Rowley. 

“ I said I wished that Ted lived out at our 
farm,” was the valiant answer. 

“ So do I,” said Frank ; “ Ted’s tip-top some- 
way.” 

“ Well, to be sure, children do love company. 
But I’ll tell you one thing can be, and that 
is Ted can come to our Christmas spread. We’ll 
just fetch him along when we get Ben’s folks.” 

“ Oh, Uncle Joe, ain’t you the best!” 

“ My, but that’s nice, Ted,” ejaculated Frank. 
“ Why there’s going to be miles of things to eat, 
and a plum pudding on fire, and a yule log! 
Honest injun !” 

“ I might be in the way — and eat too much,” 
said Ted, shyly, looking at Mr. Rowley. 


154 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


He burst out into a laugli. Well said ! If 
that don’t beat all I ever heard — a thing 
that size, or any size, eating too much at the 
Rowleys’ ! Why, father nor son, we’ve never 
felt but glad to have folks eat ! Oh, these city 
notions !” 


n 


CHAPTEE XII 


BOB, HAEEY, AND WILDFIEE 

Lonnie was running toward tlie barn — she 
fairly flew. When she entered the great barn- 
door she gave vent to an unearthly yell. 

“For the land’s sake, what was that!” and 
Mr. Eowley jumped up from the keg on 
which he was sitting while mending a broken 
harness. 

The yell was repeated with interest, and Lon- 
nie burst into view. 

“Lonnie! What on earth are you making 
such a noise for ?” 

“ Oh ! I’ve done it — and I’m coming to you 
before I get to thinking I won’t.” Again that 
shriek, but of a more modified nature. 

“ Done what, Lonnie ?” 

“ Oh, Aunt Letty went out with Bennie, and 
I went to meddling around” — howl — “and I 

155 


156 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


truly thought I wouldn't really touch anything, 
you folks think so badly of such doings." Then, 
being sufficiently impressed by the shocked and 
grieved expression on Mr. Rowley's face to for- 
get herself and how she was acting for a minute, 
she stopped crying and said bluntly : I thought 
this was pretty, and I put it in my pocket, and 
I was glad I had it, and was going to hide it 
away somewhere. Then I thought of you, and 
of how the Rowleys, father and son, hated dis- 
honest doings and cheating, and how you said 
to come to you, so I came. There's the thing," 
and she jDulled out a skein of scarlet sewing silk. 

It passed Mr. Rowley's comprehension how 
any sane human being could imperil honor, 
character, reputation, life, everything, for a 
scrap of useless color like that. 

Who'd a thought it !" was his involuntary 
exclamation. 

Now, what you going to do. Uncle Joe ? Do 
you want that strap you laid onto Frank ?" 

Why, Lonnie !" in a reproachful tone, “ do 
you s'pose I'd touch a girl ?" 


BOB, MARRY, AND WILDFIRE 157 

“ Well, why not, I’d like to know ! I’ve had 
worse beatings than you gave him more times 
’ll I could count. What are you going to do?” 

Lonnie, I don’t know what to do,” help- 
lessly. Seems as though I’d ought to do or 
say something. Can’t you think of anything ?” 

Might keep me away from any dinners.” 

‘'What good would that do? You’d just 
help yourself out of the pantry, and mighty 
welcome, too.” 

“That’s so. You might send me hack to 
that Home — just for a spell, you know.” 

“ This is your home for good and always. 
Eowleys don’t go back on their word.” 

“Might tell Frank not to speak nor ’sociate 
with such a wicked child.” 

“ I might, but it wouldn’t be any manner of 
good. Nobody could ever make Frank dishon- 
est. So you couldn’t hurt him, and you do 
him a power of good with your pleasant ways.” 

“ Well — you tell, now.” 

“ I wish you could see it isn’t right to take 
what isn’t yours.” 


158 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Why, I know it isn’t right.” 

Then why do you do what isn’t right ?” 

Nothing hard about that. It’s a heap 
harder to do what you know is right — if you 
don’t happen to like it.” 

‘^You’re a real good little girl, Lonnie, and 
I ^in sure I would trust anything to you. And 
I know you will stop meddling. I’ll tell you 
how my father used to talk to me and my 
brother John. He used to say, ‘ Promise your- 
selves that, God helping you, you’ll be fair and 
square and honest, and that you’ll never fail 
your friends, and never be mean nor unfair to 
an enemy ; that you’ll be kind to the weak 
and helpless, and just to all, and live the kind 
of a life that will help the people around yon, 
whoever they may be, feel that life can be a 
good thing, and that one can and should use 
every chance to grow better and truer to the 
good that they’re capable of.’ ” 

All the time Lonnie, her attention caught 
and her heart opened with vague yearnings, 
was saying to herself, ‘‘Oh, Uncle Joe, but 


BOB, HARRY, AND WILDFIRE 159 

you’re so good ! That’s the kind you are ! 
Please, dear God, help me be good, too !” 

But when he was through she merely said : 
“You’re dretful kind to me. Uncle Joe. I’ll 
put the silk where I got it, and I’m sure I won’t 
meddle any more.” 

“ That’s right. And if you do anything your 
heart tells you isn’t frank and open you come to 
me about it. Yes? Promise?” 

“ Yes, I will,” and away went Lonnie sing- 
ing. 

Mr. Bowley watched her meditatively, then 
shook his head. “ She beats me. But if I only 
knew what to do about Frank I wouldn’t mind 
anything else.” He held his harness up to look- 
at it. x“If I could have my way I’d transport 
that miserable boy of Jake Bider’s. Bob Bider 
is the meanest boy in these parts, and Harry 
Thomas is the next, and they are always after 
Frank and he is always with them — surely. A 
boy must have company, and they are the near- 
est boys his size.” A vindictive jab at the leather 
wuth his awl. “Those boys set him against 


160 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


liis mother and kept him at it. They put 
him up to guyin' the teacher and making 
trouble at school and running away. And, 
worse luck to both of ’em, they’d do all in 
their power to set him against me — and they’ll 
be able to do it, too, if he consorts with ’em 
much longer ! He holds out some against them, 
but in the nature of the case he gets more and 
more used to their ways and views, and first 
thing I know there will be the dickens to pay ! ” 
He savagely shook the harness, hung it up on 
its nail and went about another task. He re- 
membered what a liking Frank seemed to take 
to Ted, and he seemed for a moment to think he 
had a new idea. Now that little chap had 
a real good sort of a face, not sneaky mean like 
Bob Rider’s, and he looked a sight smarter ; 
nobody’s fool. I’ll be bound. When we have the 
folks down next week — Christmas — I’ll make 
out to keep him a few days and watch him. 
Now, maybe he’d be company enough, and just 
be the savin’ of Frank from those miserable 
boys, hang ’em !” 


BOB, HARRY, AND WILDFIRE 161 

Mr. Rowley was not the only one in the fam- 
ily who viewed the Rider and Thomas boys with 
disfavor. Lonnie had grown excessively fond 
of Frank; his very slowness and staunchness 
and boyish strength attracted her more and 
more. He was with his boy friends no more 
than when she first came, if as much, but she 
noticed it more, for nefarious schemes of theirs of 
which she was partly cognizant had interfered 
wretchedly with some pet plans of hers. Also, 
the bullying manner they used toward her when 
they showed themselves around the barn filled 
her with wrath. Ill doings of theirs, which in 
themselves would have seemed to her trivial in 
the extreme looked very different indeed to her 
when she was jealously watchful over Frank’s 
honor. 

Her sharp little tongue gave vent to many a 
sarcastic fling in their direction, and Frank was 
nearly as much amused by it as his father was. 

That very afternoon she had counted confi- 
dently on Frank’s being willing during Mrs. 
Rowley’s absence with Bennie to come out to 
11 


162 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


the barn and do a lot of nut-cracking and corn- 
shelling with her. They had planned to. But 
when Lonnie joyfully ran to meet him, crying, 
‘^Oh, Frank, guess what! Aunt Letty and 
Bennie are going to Brewsters’, and we’ll do 
the nuts and the corn. Oh, won’t it be fun !” 

Oh, I can’t this afternoon I” 

Can’t ! Why not ?” 

Well, Bob and Harry want me to go with 
them.” 

“ Don’t go. Let’s have fun.” 

“ I promised ’em I would.” 

Tliat’s nothin’ ; do let’s do the nuts.” 

I can’t, so quit begging.” 

‘‘ ’Fore I’d be tied to Bob Eider’s galluses 1 
He brags around everywhere that he can make 
that baby Frank Eowley do just what he 
wants 1” 

'' Oh, he never I Why don’t you tell a likely 
story.” 

“You think he never, but you’ll find out that’s 
so I And Harry Thomas says you haven’t a 
soul of your own !” 


BOB, HABRY, AND WILDFIRE 163 

Why, I can lick Harry Thomas four times 
running — and Bob Bider into the bargain !’’ 

Maybe you can, but they don’t tell that ! 
And if they do anything and get caught they 
always say you did it.” 

“ I know they do that, but they won’t do it 
very many more times.” 

Oh, yes, you can brag, and then the first 
time they say, ‘ Come, go along with us,’ you go 
right along same as ever !” 

‘‘ They’re the only boys around here — and 
they do know how to have a good time.” 

“ Oh, yes, they do, don’t they ! I’d be 
ashamed, Frank Bowley ! What kind of fun 
was it when Bob Eider was so sick and his 
knees so shaky he couldn’t get to his own house, 
and Harry Thomas all in a heap in his barn, 
and you cornin’ in saying you had a headache 
and white as a sheet and scaring your father 
nearly stiff, and he not having suspicion enough 
to know what you’d been doing ? Now, that 
was fun, wasn’t it ?” 

How’d you know ?’' in surprise. 


164 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Anybody but a greenie’d know that.’’ 

Anyway, I said I’d go this afternoon, and 
I’m going.” 

Lonnie was intensely disappointed, but she 
shook her pretty hair with as indifferent an 
air as possible and said : ‘‘ We’ll see ; you’ll 

wish you hadn’t !” . ,, 

After he had gone and she had taken to 
‘‘prying and meddling” in a spirit of ugly 
bravado, she began to imagine all sorts of things 
she hoped would happen to Frank and Bob and 
Harry to pay him back for leaving her. She 
pictured their planning some piece of rascality 
on a farmer and being caught, but the more she 
imagined the more real it became, until she was 
almost in tears for fear some of the dreadful 
things would happen to Frank. Next she did 
her best to think what it could be they meant to 
do. There wasn’t really so very much to do. 
To her citified nations of what was objec- 
tionable to the police the resources of the coun- 
try were quite below par. But she knew that 
if Bob and Harry had so worked on Frank as 


BOB, HARBY, AND WILDFIRE 165 

to promise to be with them on a jiarticular 
afternoon, whether or no, it was for some repre- 
hensible undertaking. It might be that it was 
simply to resort to the old kiln in Eider’s farthest 
pasture, where the boys had constructed a sort 
of lodge for their meetings, unknown, as they 
supposed, to any one, but familiar in its every 
detail to the ubiquitous Lonnie. There she 
knew they gathered themselves and read or de- 
tailed extraordinary romances from worn, and, 
to her, unenticing-looking paper books treasured 
by Bob Eider as the receptacle of daring and ad- 
venture. She knew the names of some of these 
books — Dare-devil Dick,” “ The Pirate Band,” 
^‘The Eed-handed Mystery.” She knew that 
there they had some very dirty cards, and 
some tobacco; but those things seemed like 
such trifles to her that she could not see 
wherein lay their charm. That they really 
did not charm Frank she knew ; and that he 
should desert her for those boys and such 
poor fan galled her. She was sure it must be 
something else this afternoon. Going up to the 


166 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


old mill for bats — no, it couldn’t be that. Kat 
bunting in Thomas’ barn — she didn’t believe 
it was that. But there was one thing she did 
think it might be, and it frightened her. She 
was perfectly well aware how Bob and Harry 
hated Farmer Gates. How incensed they were 
at everything he did and said ; how mad they 
were because he would not let them so much as 
get a look at his new young stallion. Wildfire, 
and how they had planned many a long day to 
get him out and ride him, deterred by only one 
thing — their own fear of Wildfire. Perhaps they 
had got a scheme now for getting him out. Of 
course, they wouldn’t do much themselves. That 
is why they would want Frank, to bear the blame 
in case of discovery. Frank was absolutely un- 
daunted by any sort of physical undertaking. 
Once he had made up his mind to do a thing, 
no thought of fear of the consequences seemed 
able to enter into his calculations. 

The more Lonnie thought of it the surer she 
became that she had solved the mystery. It 
was known that Gates had gone to Boston that 


BOB, HAKRY, AND WILDFIRE 167 

morning. It was rumored that lie was bargain- 
ing for the sale of Wildhre, and the boys were 
likely to think it was now or never. 

It was growing late and the sun was very low 
on the horizon. 

'' Lonnie,’’ called Mr. Kowley, ''hasn’t Frank 
come back yet ?” 

" No, sir.” 

" Do you know where he went ?” 

" No, sir.” 

" I feel worried about him some way. Still, 
it isn’t supper time ; he’ll be home by then. 
I’ve got to go to Brewsters’ now for your Aunt 
Letty and Bennie. Want to come? I can 
squeeze you in.” 

She had wanted to go and had hoped he 
would ask her. But a half formed design was 
floating in her mind. 

"No, sir; I guess not. Frank went with 
Bob Rider — and Harry.” 

" Yes, I suppose so then giving vent to his 
indignation, "I wish they’d leave my boy 
alone.” 


168 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


'' I’d like to shoot ’em !” said Lonnie, glad to 
have sympathy. 

Mr. Rowley laughed. ‘‘You’re pretty dan- 
gerous for your size ! Keep the room warmed 
up for Bennie. Good-by.” 

“ Good-by,” and after she had seen him 
drive away she looked out at the sky, already 
a dull, dark gray, as though threatening 
snow. 

“ He ought to be back. I guess I’ll go. 
Can’t do any hurt, anyway.” 

She put on her coat and her red mittens and 
hood and her all-colored scarf — she had never 
had such nice, new, warm things before — and 
saw to the fire and shut the doors and started. 
It was a mile by the road to the Gates place 
and three-quarters across lots, and it was almost 
too dark to see already ; no sign of stars. The 
moon would not rise until after midnight. But 
then if she went across lots she would reach the 
pasture, where the boys would be most likely to 
take Wildfire to try him, before she came to the 
farm buildings. 


BOB, HAKRY, AND WILDFIRE 169 

She went as fast as she could, so as to make 
the best use of the little light there was ; but 
she fell into a hole, and then ran against a fence, 
bumping herself considerably. 

If I do that many more times,” she thought 
ruefully, there won^t be very much of me left 
to find Frank. Guess I’ll go slower and have 
more sense.” She had been guiding herself by 
the great oak on the top of the hill, but now 
she reached that she was afraid she would lose 
her way. Presently she saw a light east of her. 

There, that’s in Gates’ house, and I can see 
it until I reach the hollow back of the barn lot, 
and that’s where I want to go.” 

She made her way carefully, gradually be- 
coming accustomed to the light until she could 
see more than at first. 

When she reached the hollow she was in great 
doubt as to which way to turn. She had made 
up her mind positively that Frank was in 
trouble in the next lot. If he wasn’t, she had 
taken her walk for nothing, and it would be a 
question whether she could get home before Mr. 


170 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Eowley returned. She struck down across the 
hollow, now able to outline some hayricks 
against the sky on the opposite side. As she 
drew nearer she heard voices. She stopped, her 
heart beating fiercely. 

It’s as black as a pocket. I’m not going to 
stay here all night.” 

Bob Eider’s voice. 

That fool of a horse will come ramping up 
here next and kill us, like as not.” 

Harry Thomas’ voice. 

Lonnie felt like screaming out Frank !” but 
a strange fear kept her quiet. 

I hope he hasn’t tramped Frank to death !” 

Lonnie’s breath almost stopped. 

Well, we couldn’t fetch him. He groaned 
like thunder when we tried to move him.” 

‘‘ Yes, we might have broken something about 
him dragging him — and that beast came pound- 
ing into us all !” 

Frank was hurt and they had left him ! She 
wanted to scream out and accuse them, but some 
instinct told her to be quiet. 


BOB, HARRY, AND WILDFIRE 171 

« We’re in for it now,” sullenly ; and it’s all ’ 
your fault. Bob Bider !” 

Shut up ! We’d better give our minds to 
getting out of this scrape. Wildfire will stake 
himself as sure as fate !” 

‘‘If Frank — if Frank — if Frank don’t come 
to, nobody’ll know it was anybody but him.” 

“ If he does come to we can swear it wasn’t 
us.” 

“ But he’ll say it was !” 

“ We will be two to one !” 

“ But nobody would believe us, anyway. My, 

I wish we could have got him across.” 

“ Well, we couldn’t ! we’ve got to get out of 
here. J feel’s though it was most morning.” 

“ ’Tain’t six yet.” 

“ I bet it is — long ago.” 

“ Let’s start. I don’t hear that animal around 
here. I’ll bet he’s down at the far end of the 
lot where Frank is.” 

“ Well, come on. I can’t see a thing !” 

“ When we get out of this bogie hollow we 
can see the light from the house, and get home.” 


172 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


IVe heard there was hants in this hollow/^ 

'' Shut up! I ratlier hants than anybody alive. 
Fd kill any person here that was going to tell 
on me ! Dad says one thing more and he’s going 
to do for me I” 

‘‘ Oh, I wish we had Frank 1” and Harry be- 
gan to whimper. 

Shut up I” snarled Bob, striking out kt him 
savagely. 

Oh, I hear something !” quavered Harry. 

Come on, then, quick ; let’s go together !” 

Lonnie had almost cried out aloud. Now, 
pursuing a sudden inspiration, she gave a long, 
low, unearthly shriek. 

Bob gave a yell and dashed away from Harry. 
Lonnie moaned. 

Bob lunged forward, almost touching her, 
tripped on a stone and fell. 

Lonnie howled again, and finding she was 
near enough to Bob to touch him, she pulled 
his hair vindictively, but she was afraid to do 
anything more to him — he was breathing and 
moaning in such a fearful fashion. She heard 


BOB, HAIIBY, AND WILDFIRE 173 

Harry tearing across tlie hollow, crying fran- 
tically. , ♦ 

But now for Frank. Oh, Frank ! She passed 
the haystacks and tried to go as fast as possible 
toward what she supposed was the far end of 
the field. ‘‘Oh, Frank ! Ihn cominV’ she thought. 
“ Oh, Frank ! Dear God, help me be a good 
girl! Dear God, help me get Frank and don’t 
let him be killed, and I’ll be the best you ever 
saw all the whole time. Oh, Frank I Oh, 
Frank!” Then she called, “Frank! Frank!” 
No answer. She stopped and listened. 

Everything was so deadly quiet. 

She went forward a short distance and listened 
intently. 

She heard a sound like heavy breathing. With 
wide staring eyes and parted lips she crept 
along toward the sound. 

“ Frank !” she whispered. 

No answer. 

She could see a dark mass on the ground be- 
side her. She put out her hand. She felt the 
rough cloth of a boy’s clothes. She passed her 


174 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


hand along and felt buttons, then slightly warm 
flesh, a face; Frantss — and he was breathing. 

Oh, Frank!’’ she sobbed, almost breaking down 
and laying her cheek beside his. ‘‘ Oh, Frank ! 
and he’s alive I Oh, dear Father, I thank you 
so much, and I will — will keep my promise — 
long’s I can !” 

Her arm around Frank seemed to hutt him, 
for he groaned. 

Then she heard another sound. A terrible 
sound in the night — a snorting and wild 
pawing. 


#* 


CHAPTER XIII 

A BAD HOUR 

Wildfire was coming, Lonnie knew that. 
Perhaps he was coming straight toward them. 

Still that wild snorting. 

She could see him. Almost screaming, she 
rose hastily and began to sing her very loudest. 

Baby Mine’’ rang out, her voice as sweet and 
clear and true as though she had never had a 
fear in the world. 

Wildfire stopped a few feet from them — Lon- 
nie thought she could feel his hot breath and 
see his eyes blaze— pawed the ground till dirt 
and stones rattled, and, head toward them, kept 
prancing in a circle. As he turned, so did Lon- 
nie. He’s the Lily of the Valley” came next, 
the notes gaining a curiously melodious softness 
as they were carried through the cold, still, 
night air. 


175 


176 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Mr. Gates, returning from the city and driving 
straight to the barn, at once missed his stallion. 
Half dazed and enraged almost beyond the 2:)oint 
of action, he went to the rear of his barn, swing- 
ing his lantern ; and there, as he heard the 
strange, sweet singing, Lonnie saw the lantern. 

Help ! ’’ she cried. Hel23, quick ! ’’ and 
then, guessing with intuitive rapidity that it was 
Mr. Gates, looking for his lost Wildfire, she 
shouted in her clear, bell-like tones : 

‘‘ Mr. Gates ! Wildfire is over here in the 
south lot!” 

Farmer Gates was not the only one who heard 
the singing. As his bobbing lantern drew nearer 
and nearer to the little group in the lot, another 
lantern started from the house, making even 
faster time. 

The Thomas house was on the Rowleys’ way 
home from Brewsters’. 

I’ll just stop, I guess, Letty, if you can wait 
a minute, and see if Harry is home ; it will ease 
my mind. I’ve felt sort of upset all the way 
home.” 



t( 


HELP!" SHE CRIED; “HELP, QUICK!” 

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A BAD HOUR 


177 


As he was making his way around to the 
kitchen door he almost ran into a crying boy. 

This you, Harry Thomas ! What’s the mat- 
ter?” 

^‘Oh, the ghost! Frank’s d-d-dead!” 

What do you mean, boy ? Speak up 
plain !” 

His ghost nearly killed me ! Oh ! Oh ! 
Oh ! Frank Rowley — he’s dead over at Gates’ — 
oh ! oh ! oh !” 

Mr. Rowley never waited for another word. 
He rushed back to his buggy, sprang in, lashed 
the horse and sped on his way to the Gates’. 

Frank!” was all he said, and Mrs. Rowley 
held Bennie pressed closely to her and asked no 
questions. 

Come in, Letty ; Pete’ll stand,” and he 
dashed to the house. 

‘‘ Frank ?” he said, at the kitchen door. 

The surprise on the women’s faces, the quiet, 
home-like scene, the ordinary preparations for 
supper, helped bring him to himself. 

“ Frank’s not here,” said Mrs. Gates. David 

12 


178 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


just now drove past to the barn ; perhaps you’d 
like to step out and see him. Here ; here’s a 
lighted lantern. Well, here’s Mrs. Eowley and 
Bennie ! Come right in !” and as they went in, 
Mr. Rowley went toward the barn. Before 
reaching it he heard that singing — that strange, 
strange singing — and he knew it was Lonnie’s 
voice. His heart gave a bound of relief Lon- 
nie would never sing that way if Frank were 
dead. 

He followed the light of Mr. Gates’ lantern, 
and as he drew near him. Wildfire, attracted by 
the light, also came near ; but ’ as the light of 
their lanterns flashed on him, he gave a loud 
snort and dashed away like the wind. 

Here — here we are, right here !” called Lon- 
nie. But now that some one had come, her 
voice had a weak little tremble in it, and she 
sank down beside Frank. The lanterns showed 
the little forlorn figure and the prostrate boy, 
face upwards and eyes closed. 

‘‘ Oh, my boy !” groaned Mr. Rowley, and 
kneeled down beside liim. The labored breath- 


A BAD HOUR 


179 


iiig, tlie beating heart, asserted loudly enough 
that the boy was certainly not dead. But ex- 
cept for his groans when touched he gave no 
sign of consciousness. 

‘‘ Bad business ; bad, very bad ! I’ll go get 
something and we’ll carry him up to the house.” 
So, while Mr. Bowley knelt there in a sort of 
dumb agony. Farmer Gates went for a small door 
he unhinged from the barn. They raised the 
moaning boy on it, and as carefully as possible 
carried him to the house, while Lonnie swung 
both lanterns to light the way. The hired man 
had already taken the Bowley buggy and gone 
for the doctor. Frank was laid on the wide old 
lounge, the women bent over him, unloosed his 
clothes, applied hot water and cold water, as it 
seemed good to one or the other of them at the 
moment ; gave him things to smell, and Mrs. 
Gates tried to force a few drops of blackberry 
cordial into his mouth. Lonnie, by his head, 
jealously mounted guard. She was determined 
nothing should be done to hurt him, and she 
would not leave him a second. All the questions 


180 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


that one and another found time to ask she 
resolutely left unanswered. She had not decided 
what to say, and the whole story was to be told 
first to Uncle Joe. 

When the doctor came, F rank was quite con- 
scious. He tried to tell where he was hurt, but 
it only seemed to result in his being hurt all 
over ; his liead hurt, he said, and his shoulders, 
and his back, and his legs. 

The doctor, after a grave silence of proper 
professional duration, smiled reassuringly at 
Mr. Eowley. ‘‘ He’s badly shaken, very. And 
he has had the narrowest sort of an escape, 
but I don’t believe he has a broken bone and I 
don’t believe he has any internal injury, though 
there is still a chance of that. If you keep him 
quiet for a few days and notify me at once if 
there is any fever or delirium, or complaint of 
any unusual pain anywhere, I guess that is as 
much as we can do. You can take liiin home 
to-night in the road wagon.” 

When Mr. Gates heard the outcome of it he 
said somewhat grimly: “Well, I reckon now 


A BAD HOUR 


181 


I better go and look after my stallion — if there’s 
anything left of him worth looking after. Gus 
is out there all this time.” 

It was the first time that the thought of how 
Frank happened to be lying in Mr. Gates’ south 
lot had entered Mr. Rowley’s mind. Now that 
the crushing fear of physical injury to Frank 
was lifted, it was replaced by a sickening dread 
lest Frank had done something disgraceful. 
What did it all mean ? Involuntarily he 
turned to Lonnie. She had been watching 
him. She knew perfectly well what he was 
thinking about. And in a moment she found 
opportunity to squeeze his hand and whisper, 

Frank’s good enough for anybody; don’t you 
mind !” 

Again Mr. Gates came in and with so grave 
a face that every one turned to him expectantly. 

‘‘We seem to be having accidents enough for 
one night. Doctor, you are needed now, sure — 
for Bob Rider. Gus found him in the hollow, 
and we have carried him out to the Rowleys’ 
buggy. We thought you could get him home 


182 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


in that. His foot is crushed. Wildfire trod on 
it. Might just as well have been his head.’’ 

Lonnie’s eyes were stretched wide open. If 
she only hadn’t pulled Bob’s hair ! 

The doctor gave a somewhat anxious look at 
Frank and said cheerfully: ‘‘Oh, a foot’s 
nothing! We’ll have that all right ii^ no 
time !” 

The others, taking the cue, refrained from 
making the matter a to23ic of conversation, but 
it was a hard trial. 

“ I hope I’ll be able to stay out this time 
until I get hold of Wildfire,” and Mr. Gates 
strode out again, evidently in a not improving 
humor. 

It was not a very cheerful party that he left. 
Mrs. Bowley was trying to hush Bennie, Lon- 
nie ke 2 )t softly dabbing cologne on Frank’s 
head, Frank groaned uneasily at short inter- 
vals. The Gates women were evidently strain- 
ing their ears for the next coming of Mr. Gates, 
and Mr. Bowley was in momentarily increasing 
anguish as he realized the relation between 


A BAD HOUR 183 

Wildfire and Frank and Mr. Gates’ shortness of 
manner. The more he thought of it the more 
he dreaded to have Mr. Gates come back, until, 
when he actually heard his step on the porch, 
he averted his face. 

“ All’s well !” was the cheery remark when 
the door opened, and every face brightened as 
though by magic. “ Got Wildfire in his stall 
all right, and not a hair on him hurt. Shake 
hands, neighbor Rowley. I feel better. I feel 
a sight more like a Christian when my pocket- 
book isn’t touched. Truth ! Just as soon as I 
found out Frank wasn’t dangerously hurt, I got 
to thinkin’ about Wildfire, and like to went 
crazy. You see, just this very day I closed up 
a bargain up city that will put fifteen hundred 
dollars in the bank to-morrow at noon if I can 
hand over Wildfire in good condition. And 
I thought it was all up with me all for a crowd 
of meddling boys — no offense, neighbor.” But 
Mr. Rowley winced. 

Now, Bob Rider, his foot’s mashed sure ; 
how they’ll fix that up is more than I can see.” 


184 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Mr. Kowley glanced at Frank, but it did not 
seem as tliougli he heard, and Lonnie was shad- 
ing him from the light. '' But if anything on 
earth could do Bob Rider any good it’ll be that. 
He will have to stay in the house out of mis- 
chief. _ He’s a bad, bad boy. Now, your Frank, 
neighbor, always had a right good name until 
lately ; but he’s been in bad company, and you 
can’t touch pitch and so on. You’ve been re- 
miss, that’s what I think, as well as some others 
I could name. And now likely this will be a 
good thing all around. You see, there was some- 
thing wrong somewhere. These boys and Wild- 
fire didn’t all come in my south lot by accident. 
It’s a mystery to me where Harry Thomas was !” 

“ He’s been over here, too,” and Mr. Rowley 
briefly detailed his meeting with the weeping 
Harry. 

Well, do tell ! It .won’t be a bad thing for 
Harry, especially as Bob will be tied down to 
the house.” 

'' If we may take your road wagon, we’ll be 
getting home, I think, now,” said Mr. Rowley. 


A BAD HOUR 


185 


Doctor said we could take Frank, and we’d 
best get along.” 

So the wagon was brought out, and a comfort- 
able place fixed for Frank ; the others got in, 
and very slowly the borrowed horse walked his 
mile to the E-owley homestead. 

Once home, and Frank comfortably fixed on 
the kitchen lounge for the night, Lonnie flew 
around with all the energy in the world getting 
supper, and as Mrs. E-owley, who was thor- 
oughly worn out by all the excitement and by 
holding Bennie, said more than once : It was 
wonderful how well she did for such a little 
girl.” 

Mrs. Bowley and Bennie went to bed together, 
and Lonnie was preparing to follow, after she 
had taken a last look at the quietly sleeping 
Frank, when Mr. Bowley said : Now, Lonnie, 
Fve waited about as long as I can — do tell me 
all you know about it.” 

So Lonnie told her tale from beginning to 
end, encouraged by a friendly pat, or an excla- 
mation of sympathy or assent. 


186 


ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘I just knew it was Mr. Gates’ stallion. I 
don’t know how I knew, but I was sure of it ; 
and it got dark before I got over there. And I 
was so scared at those boys, for Bob he said he 
would kill anybody that he caught knowing 
about it, and I thought he would ; and after all, 
he was so scared he couldn’t even get up when 
I made noises ! I did make lovely, dreadful 
noises ! If I hadn’t been so scared about Frank 
it would have been the most fun ever was ! 
Harry Thomas just went boo-hooing as fast as 
he could, but Bob Rider was worse. He 
couldn’t go at all. 

And then I found Frank, and if I hadn’t 
heard him breathe such a funny, loud way, I 
would have thought he was dead ; and I didn’t 
have time to know how dretfiil bad I did feel 
until I heard that animal — and I’ll never like 
that kind of an animal again ! It had breath 
like our stove oven, and eyes like a teeny bright 
fire in the dark ; and I sang right at him, and 
he danced to it — I saw him my own self ; and if 
you make a promise to God when you’re scared. 


A BAD HOUR 


187 


does it be any good when you’re done being 
scared ?” 

Of course.” 

‘‘ Well, I don’t think so ! For if God knows 
everything He knows how comfortable you are 
going to feel in a little while, and not scared any, 
and that then you won’t think much of such a 
promise, and so He wouldn’t be fooled a bit, nor 
put any trust in it — so it isn’t any good promise. 
If you promised me something, and I knew all 
the time you didn’t mean it, you wouldn’t be 
cheating me with that promise !” 

‘‘ Goodness ! child, I can’t make head nor tail 
out of that ! But if you promised anything to 
God, or to a person, the right thing is to stick to 
it. What did you promise ?” 

Oh, I just promised what Miss Joyce said I 
ought to pray for every day.” 

What was that ?” 

Oh, to be, you know — good — and all that.” 

Well, don’t you want to keep it ?” 

Why, sort of ; but I don’t want to get good 
too quick. It’s bad for the health.” 


188 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Mr. Rowley laughed. 

Good-night. You look real pale, and I can 
see you^re all worn out. A long sleep will do you 
a lot of good. I’m going to lie down here be- 
side Frank. I know you’ve saved Frank’s life, 
Lonnie. But I can’t any more’n say I know it 
now.” 

Oh, Uncle Joe, I didn’t, neither !” and she 
went to her bit of a room happy from head to 
foot. 



CHAPTER XIV 


PKEPARATIONS 

The verdict of the doctor next day, that Frank 
had sustained no injury, but was badly shaken 
up and must remain quiet for a few days, 
was satisfactory to every one in the house. Mrs. 
Rowley was glad that the Christmas festivities 
could go on, Lonnie was glad that Frank would 
be obliged to be around home for a while, and Mr. 
Rowley himself felt as though it would be a 
great thing to know where to put his finger on 
his eldest son. 

Frank could hardly be persuaded to speak to 
any one. When he was awake during that first 
night, his father lying on the floor near the 
lounge or sitting in a rocking-chair close by, he 
kept his eyes shut and tried to seem asleep. He 
was desperately ashamed of himself. He could 
not bear to look his father in the face. So 

189 


190 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


cloudy had been his senses that he did not know 
the condition of Wildfire, and he did not know 
exactly what had happened to the other boys. He 
did not know even whether he himself was or 
was not seriously injured. He felt so aching 
that his private opinion was that he was not far 
from the grave. He would ask no questions, 
and was acutely miserable. 

Mr. Rowley was out at the barn with the doc- 
tor, Mrs. Rowley was in the buttery cheerfully 
engaged with some of her Christmas prepara- 
tions, and Lonnie was amusing Bennie beside 
Frank’s lounge. She looked up at him suddenly 
and saw him hastily shut his eyes. 

’Course I knew he wasn’t asleep ; what does 
make him act so ?” she thought. 

Say, Frank,” she said in a most matter-of- 
fact tone, I know you’re not asleep. You 
needn’t be bothering about anything. Wildfire’s 
all right. He wasn’t a bit hurt.” Frank’s eyes 
popped open. Mr. Gates took him to Boston 
to-day, and he’s going to get a million dollars 
for him, or something. And you’re not hurt bad 


PREPARATIONS 


191 


a bit. You’ll be around in no time, and Christ- 
mas is going on just the same, and if you’ll only 
open your eyes and talk we’ll have a lot of fun. 
You and I can fix the greens and trimmings and 
pick out nuts, and do every kind of a thing.” 

What about Bob and Harry ?” 

Well, Harry is the scaredest thing you ever 
saw ! They say he cried pretty near all night, 
and his mother or somebody has to stay right 
with him every minute. He saw a ghost, and 
that’s the worst thing could happen to him !” 

“ What about Bob ?” 

Bob — oh, well. Bob ! Bob got off mighty 
easy, considering the way he and Harry ran off 
and left you in that south lot for Wildfire to 
tramp on ! He saw a ghost, too, and he was so 
scared he just lay fiat on the ground and couldn’t 
move, and Wildfire came along and instead of 
tramping on his head or his ribs, or some kill- 
ing place, he just tramped on his foot.” 
‘‘Well?” 

“Oh! they amplified his foot this morning 
early — in the niglit — soon as the doctor could 


192 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


get some one to help him — to keep it from being 
ashamed.’’ 

‘‘What are you talking about?” 

“ They cut his foot off.” 

“ Oh !” and Frank relapsed into a horrified 
silence. 

“ Now, I wouldn’t go to feeling bad about 
that. Everybody says having his foot cut off 
may save him from hanging. That would be 
cheap. I heard him my own self say that he 
and Harry Thomas were going to swear they 
didn’t have anything to do with it, and that you 
were the only one.” 

“ Oh, I knew that well enough before I went. 
They always do that.” 

“ I wouldn’t care about spending my time with 
boys as sneaky as that.” 

“ I had decided not to go again after this time. 

“ You were one time too late, sure !” 

“ Lonnie — what did father say ?” 

“You ninny, what’d you suppose he’d say! 
For jes’ soft-headed ness about anybody I never 
saw the beat of Uncle Joe over you ! Just 


PREPARATIONS 


193 


almost dead for fear you were hurt bad, and too 
glad to speak when he found you weren’t. 
That’s Uncle Joe !” 

‘‘You needa’t to think father wouldn’t be cut 
up by my trying to fool with another man’s 
horse!” 

“ Cut up ? ’course he’s cut up ! But I expect 
he keeps trying to tell himself you’ll never, 
never do anything like that again.” 

“ I never will,” fervently. 

“ You’ll do worse if you rather pick out low- 
down sneaks like Bob Rider to play with, than 
somebody decent.” 

“ But I won’t.” 

“ Then you’d ought to tell your father so, for 
he’s all in misery because he hasn’t brought you 
up better. You jes’ ought to heard Mr. Gates 
talk to him ! Said he’d been remiss letting you 
go with bad boys, and blaming him for your 
fault.” 

“ Honest truth ?” 

“Honest; and he said everybody said the 
same thing, and Uncle Joe’s hands just rubbing 
13 


194 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


each other because he felt too bad to keep ^em 
still/’ 

Frank groaned, shut his eyes and refused 
to talk. After a long pause, Lonnie began again. 

Now, you needn’t to go get dumpy. If you 
told your father that, honest Injun, you were 
going to do his way, and be like he wants you 
to be, he’d smile from here to town, and you 
know it. There never was anybody so easy 
pleased as Uncle Joe — was there, Bennie ?” kiss- 
ing the little toddler. I’ll tell you a story if 
you like, Frank.” 

‘‘You don’t know any.” 

“Yes I do, too, lots of ’em. I’ll tell you a 
funny one. I used to tell ’em to Ted.” 

“ Well, go on.” 

And she went on with such admirable success 
that when Mr. Bowley came into the house feel- 
ing rather down-hearted by his son’s intentional 
silence, he found him laughing and in the best 
of spirits. 

“It takes Lonnie, and that’s a fact,” he 
thought to himself. 


PKEPARATIONS 


195 


‘‘ Come on, Bennie, we’ll go see Aunt Letty and 
get some gingerbread and some milk — good — 
come on ! You’ll have to walk, though ! Stand 
up there ! Oh, my, what a good walker !” 

“ How you feeling, Frank ? Better ?” Mr. 
Bowley tried to speak in an off-hand, cheerful 
way ; but it was a poor attempt. 

You won’t ever like me any more, will you 
father?” said Frank, gloomily. ^H’m glad 
Wildfire wasn’t hurt, but he might just as well 
have been for all me. Seems like I was pos- 
sessed. I just made up my mind to do it, no 
matter what happened, and I did; and I’d just 
ought to had my neck broken. I knew I 
ought all the time.” 

There, there, Frank! Everything’s all right, 
and just let’s start afresh. That’s the way to do I 
No use my telling you this or that — seems as 
though you must see the rights of things as well 
as I can. Christmas is coming, and you are 
going to be sound as a nut, so let’s put in 
and be happy. You needed somebody to play 
with. What do you say to this?” confidentially. 


196 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘ When I go up town next Wednesday to get 
Ben’s folks and Ted, why, if you like Ted, and 
he can, we’ll just have him stay all winter to 
help you with the chores, and make company at 
school, an’ all.” 

Frank’s eyes shone. ‘‘Oh, that’ll just be 
jolly ! I did think I liked Ted a lot. He 
seemed such an awful sensible little feller. 
Lonnie’d like it, too.” 

“ Well, we ought to do something to please 
Lonnie. Like enough I’d been a broken- 
hearted man to-day if it hadn’t been for Lonnie’s 
pluck and sense. She beats everything ever I 
saw for such a little girl — or any size girl — or 
any size boy — or man, either ! I declare Lonnie 
does beat all for goodness and badness, and 
smartness and stupidness, and everything !” 

Frank laughed. 

“She’s just Lonnie, I guess. If you want to 
please her, get her a jew’s-harp or a mouth-organ. 
I never did see anybody so crazy to make 
music.” 

On the next Wednesday afternoon all was 


PREPARATIONS 


197 


expectation in the Rowley homestead. Mrs. 
Rowley, in the gayest of ribbons and snowiest 
of aprons, had received compliments galore from 
both Frank and Lonnie, and was bustling about 
putting on last touches, although the last of last 
touches had actually been given a good two 
hours before. She would go to Brother Ben’s 
room and put another stick of wood in the 
already red-hot little wood stove, so little 
Bennie Cook wouldn’t be taking cold, bless him 
trotting to the pantry, where that most noble 
array of Christmas dishes, enough to make an 
epicure’s mouth water to distraction, was ranked 
in orderly rows; or stopping to give Bennie 
another pat on his tow head, and straighten his 
very-much-tucked white dress under his ging- 
ham creeper, which he was to wear until the last 
moment, so that he might thus appear in unac- 
customed glory. 

Lonnie, in a red dress, new, and a white 
apron, new, was so beamingly happy that her 
pretty little face was prettier than ever. 

Frank, still anxiously looked at if he under- 


198 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


took to move around in anything but a funereal 
manner, wore his new suit, and with the help of 
a necktie and delightfully clean handkerchief, 
proved to be a very fascinating object to him- 
self and particularly to Bennie. Since Frank’s 
incarceration he and Bennie had struck up a 
great friendship, and Frank’s uniform kindness 
and patience with the little fellow had won him 
golden opinions from his step-mother. 

The table was set, not with the splendor 
reserved for next day, but the linen was at least 
second-best, and what was necessary of the rose- 
bud china was displayed to the best advantage. 
And the supper was all ready except for its last 
turn, which was to send it to the table smoking 
hot. The room was festooned with greens, run- 
ning pine and cedar branches, and scarlet ber- 
ries and all sorts of the spoils of the woods gave 
the roomy kitchen-dining-room a most Christ- 
mas-like and holiday appearance. 

''Sun’s setting red as blood,” announced 
Frank ; "just makes the whole snow pink.”* 

" Oh, I do hear the bells this time !” 


PREPARATIONS 


199 


“ YouVe heard them a dozen times already !” 

‘‘ But I do ! I really do hear them this 
time 

Everybody listened, even Bennie, apparently ; 
and, sure enough, very faintly at first, and then 
clearer and louder on the still air came the 
jingling of sleigh-bells. 

They’re coming !” gasped Mrs. Bowley, 
and, diving into Brother Ben’s room, in went 
another stick in the stove, her apron and rib- 
bons were given a dozen little taps in a second 
before the glass, the oven door was* opened and 
clapped to, the stewpan of gravy was hastily 
stirred, Bennie was seized, kissed rapturously, 
and his creeper quickly removed, and then 
the sleigh came jingling up to the side porch, 
and there were sounds of talking and laugh- 
ing and whoaing, and then stamping on the 
steps, while the open door let out a flood of 
warm light, and Mrs. Bowley, all but weeping 
in her excitement, cried out, ‘‘Oh, Brother 
Ben !” and then embraced Mrs. Cook and seized 
Bennie and hurried him into the house. 


200 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“ Here I am shrieked Lonnie, wild with 
excitement, and then, catching sight of Ted, 
she embraced him ecstatically, and Frank 
grasped him by both hands, and they led him 
in triumph to the stove. 

“Well, Frank, hear youVe been trying to 
kill yourself!” said Uncle Ben, jovially, while 
Mrs. Cook exclaimed over Bennie Bowley. 

Bennie Cook, as soon as he had recovered the 
use of his arms and legs and eyes, attached him- 
self placidly to Lonnie, and was not to be per- 
suaded from attendance upon her. 

Bennie’s pitty Nonny ; Bennie ’oves her — 
um — um !” and Lonnie, very proud of his 
preference, smiled delightedly upon him. 

Into Brother Ben’s room the family went, 
but speedily returned to the sitting-room. By 
the time Mr. Bowley came in, the fried chicken, 
and the mashed potatoes, and the soda biscuits, 
and the little taste of bacon and new eggs, and 
baked apples, and fragrant coffee, and preserves 
galore, and jellies and cake of a lightness to 
challenge a thistledown, were all set forth on 


PREPARATIONS 


201 


the table and the feast went on with a good 
will. 

Mr. Rowley kept his eyes on Ted to make 
sure that the little fellow’s fear of eating too 
much should not get the better of him. As 
Ted warmed up to the business before him and 
perceived the nonchalant manner in which 
Frank partook of the good things as of things 
to which he was, on the whole, well accus- 
tomed, he took heart and ate as much as 
he wanted, and even ventured a remark to 
Frank or Lonnie. Lonnie’s very much at- 
home manners, her pretty clothes, and the 
warm praise Mr. Rowley had bestowed upon 
her while conversing witli the Cooks on the ride 
out, impressed him more than he could express. 

Lonnie ! — and people not saying how bad she 
was ! And not so very pert, and not a bit mean, 
and with that particularly bold, defiant, self-de- 
fensive look on her face which was becoming 
very noticeable before she left Boston, quite 
gone — replaced by a bright, quick, but kindly 
expression. He couldn’t understand it. 


202 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


'' Now, if I lived here,’’ he thought, '' what 
would I get to look like ?” 

If you lived here,’’ said Lonnie, as though 
in answer to his thought, ^‘you would soon 
enough lose that .thin, watching kind of a look, 
and you’d act as though you had something else 
to do besides just waiting around. Frank’s awful 
nice ! You’re to sleep with him, I guess. We’re 
going to pop corn after supper and make candy, 
too !” 

^'Not more eating!” and Ted looked more 
nearly astonished than he ever had before in his 
life. 

Every one heard the remark, and it called 
forth a good-natured laugh. 

Look I both the Bennies are sound asleep,” 
chuckled Frank. And Bennie Bowley beside 
his mother, his fat, red cheeks distended by a 
goodly chicken bone still protruding from his 
little red lips, was sound asleep, leaning back in 
his high chair ; and Bennie Cook, beside his 
mother, was asleep with his head bowed clear 
over to his plate. 


PREPARATIONS 


203 


Their mothers rose, each beamingly proud of 
her own particular offspring, and bore them 
away to bed; and after much exchanging of 
confidences, and advice, and admiring compli- 
ments, they returned to the kitchen. 

Lonnie had cajoled the boys into helping her, 
and the clearing up was so well under way that 
it took only a few minutes to remove all trace 
of that goodly supper. 

‘‘Now for the popper and the corn ! Frank, 
you can pop first, because youVe been sick.'’ 

“ No, Ted can, because lie’s company.” 

“ No, Lonnie, you can, because you’re a girl.” 

“ All right ; I’ll pop first,” and while the elder 
people talked business and compared notes, and 
were hugely sociable, the white corn popped in 
the popper, and was salted and buttered ; and 
then the molasses candy was made with even 
more excitement. Some was pulled, some was 
cooled in tins full of snow, some was eaten, 
some was dropped around promiscuously, but 
great plates of it were put away for the morrow. 

Such candy ! pulled as white as it could be ; 


204 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


jDulled in twists ; a great deal that was darker in 
sticks ; plates of it in little round balls ; pans 
of it made with walnuts and hickory nuts, and 
thin crackling rolls of it. 

Ted became so enthusiastic that his philo- 
sophical spirit only cropped out at intervals, 
and then in such quaint sallies that Frank was 
almost in tears for laughing. 

Mr. Rowley could hardly keep his eyes off 
the group, and it was well he wasn’t absolutely 
needed in the conversation of the others. 

Hear that boy laugh,” he thought ; and I 
declare sometimes it would be a year that I’d 
never hear him laugh at home. He’s been 
brought up too quiet for anything ; just that 
old deaf Nancy keeping house for me, and 
taking care of him, and then no children ; 
nobody but those rascally boys ; no merry- 
making except what had something wrong in 
it; and him naturally down-hearted like all the 
Rowleys, except John Rowley, my brother; 
and now hear him laugh, and see how bright he 
looks ! Lonnie’s helped him wonderfully, but 


PREPARATIONS 


205 


she has to bide in the house with Bennie too 
much to be enough company ; and now Ted, he 
could help him in all his chores, and for all he 
won’t go to school up city I can tell from the 
cut of his head he’d like books and be smart at 
them. Now, he’s just the one,” and his mind 
kept running on the subject until the whole 
tired, cheerful group broke up for the night. 


CHAPTER XV 


CHKISTMAS DAY 

Miss Joyce looked at Maggie in a meditative 
manner. 

I do believe that I can take time to drive 
over to the Rowleys to-day and take Lonnie 
and Ted a present. Ted said he was going to 
he there for Christmas ; did I tell you ?” 

‘‘Yes, ma’am. And it’s the prettiest Christ- 
mas Day I remember seeing these long years. 
I was sort of hoping you’d be sending Lonnie 
something, and I made a little sachet bag for 
her. She was the nicest little body, if she was 
so everlastin’ lively !” 

“ They like her very much, I understand, and 
want to keep her. I shall be glad to hear what 
Mrs. Rowley says, myself, and to see Lonnie.” 

“ When I’m busy around the kitchen, here, I 
can just see that child working away at those 
206 


CHRISTMAS DAY 


207 


pants, and time and again I’ve been fairly 
obliged to set down and laugh at the very 
thought.” 

Miss Joyce laughed, too; and a short time 
-ater, with three small boys tucked in beside her, 
was on her way to the Rowleys. The sleighing 
was fine, the day wonderfully beautiful, and she 
felt that she was getting up a fine appetite for 
the three dinners she was booked to appear at 
to-day. 

She was wholly unprepared for the Rowley 
place in its Christmas aspect. When she went 
in the living-room and saw the way it had been 
opened up into the sitting-room, how the enor- 
mous fireplace had been exposed to view, though 
at present filled with cedar, how the long table 
had been set, reaching through both rooms, how 
walls and ceilings and table were all decorated 
in every conceivable spot with greens, then she 
admitted some people could keep Christmas yet. 
It was a sight to cheer one’s heart. 

‘‘ There has been no trouble sj^ared here, Mrs. 
Rowley,” said Miss Joyce, admiringly. 


208 


AN Odd little lass 


No, indeed ; we all worked. The Rowleys 
were always great at kee^niig Christmas, but I 
don’t believe any more was ever done than this 
year. You’ll sure stay to dinner, won’t you. 
Miss Joyce?” 

Miss Joyce told of her three dinners already 
arranged for, and said she had a little present 
for Lonnie and Ted. 

“Now, Lonnie ’ll be delighted. She just de- 
serves presents, she surely does.” 

“Lonnie and Frank and Ted, and the two 
Bennies and Brother Ben and Mr. Rowley are 
all out at the barn fixing up the yule log to 
drag in after the dinner table’s out of the way. 
You must stop there before you go. And I 
want you to see my pantry.” 

“ Indeed you ought. I never saw such a sight 
in my life !” put in Mrs. Cook. 

So to the pantry and the buttery they all went, 
and Miss Joyce was as sincerely taken aback by 
the display as the most demanding could have 
wished. 

“ I’m just going to put a nut cake and a 


CHRISTMAS HAY 


209 


sack of dougliiiuts in your sleigh ; those 
three little boys can eat ’em. There, they’ve 
gone to the barn at last, and now they’ll have 
fun.” 

Some one has been having a Christmas pres- 
ent,” smiled Miss Joyce, noticing a conspicu- 
ously new upright piano. 

There, now, that’s really for Lonnie. Mr. 
Rowley wanted so bad to do something to i^lease 
Lonnie, and he knew nothing would do so well 
as an instrument of some sort, so we planned 
for him to give the piano to me for a 
Christmas present — me, with no more music 
in me than a calf, nor as much — and then for 
me to say Lonnie could play on it for my pres- 
ent to her, and Mr. Rowley to have Abigail 
Gates to come over and give her some lessons 
for his present. Abigail ’s quite a player. Lon- 
nie, when she found I’d got that piano — when it 
was brought in from the barn this morning — 
went pretty near crazy. If it had been given to 
her straight out she’d be a-settin’ there this min- 
ute with her head as high as a church steeple, 
14 


210 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


and that would have been the end of her ; but 
now, you see, she’s enjoying herself other ways 
as well, and on her good behavior to get to jday 
it. Going ? Be sure to go to the barn. Good-by ! 
Yes, I’ll give it to Lonnie; she’ll be greatly 
pleased. Thank you. Good-by ! And so will 
Ted, too.” 

Out at the barn Miss Joyce found the assem- 
bled group hilariously decorating the great tree 
trunk to be dragged into the house to the fire- 
place. There seemed to be an endless amount 
of molasses candy and popcorn, whichever 
way you turned. Her three little boys had 
their mouths painfully full and their pockets 
stuffed. 

- Ted went straight up to Miss Joyce with a 
glad smile and a happy welcome in his voice. 
Mr. Rowley was warmly cordial, Frank greeted 
.her with boyish awkwardness, and Lonnie, when 
she first looked up, ran to Miss Joyce, crying 
out : Oh, I am so glad ! Merry Christmas ! 

Come, do come and see our piano ! Oh, it’s 
beautiful ! ” 


CHRISTMAS DAY 


211 


Miss Joyce kissed the fresh little rosy face, 
and was surprised to see how glad she was to 
hear that sweet, musical little voice again. 

“ Maggie sent you a present, Lonnie.’’ 

‘‘ Oh, how kind ; how very kind ! Tell her 
I’ll never forget how lovely she was. I wish I 
could send her something. Oh, I’ll send her a 
Christmas wreath I made, and it has real holly 
in it, this one has, and I’ll send her some nuts, 
and you tell her I gathered them and cracked 
them myself!” 

Dear me, child,” said Mr. E-owley, I don’t 
believe even so smart a woman as Miss Joyce 
can understand such a rattlepate as you are. 
Go get a nice bit of mistletoe for Miss Joyce. 
The Rowleys, Miss Joyce, have grown their own 
mistletoe ever since this township began.” 

Why, how do you do it ?” asked she, inter- 
ested at once. I thought very vaguely that it 
came of itself in some strange way.” 

“We plant ours in an apple tree. Apple trees 
are the best. You set the seeds under the bark 
in a good place, and we have the finest mistletoe 


212 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


around. Rowleys couldn’t keep Christmas with- 
out mistletoe.” 

Lonnie and Frank and Ted filled up the 
.sleigh with greens and nuts, and Miss Joyce 
and the three little hoys regretfully departed. 

Ted had been feeling as though his suit, 
which had pleased him abundantly hitherto, 
needed something to trim it up so that he could 
look like Frank, for company; and Mrs. Row- 
ley had been meditating the feasibility of offer- 
ing him something of Frank’s. But Frank 
was wearing his only really good necktie, and 
it did not seem proper to offer a guest an article 
of inferior ai^pearance. Both parties were greatly 
relieved by the little package marked with Ted’s 
name from Miss Joyce. 

There was the nicest sort of a necktie and hand- 
kerchief, besides a j)air of mittens — and a quarter 
in one of them. Ted was a made boy, and 
decked out in his necktie, with the corner of 
his handkerchief, heavily drenched with per- 
fumery by Frank, sticking out of his pocket, he 
looked quite in place. 


CHRISTMAS DAY 213 

It grew to be time for the company to arrive. 
Mrs. Kowley and Mrs. Cook were in a flutter. 
Lonnie, arrayed again in her red dress and white 
apron, mounted guard over the Bennies in their 
immaculate white dresses. Frank and Ted were 
at the barn with their elders to help in caring 
for the teams. Most of the guests were con- 
nections of the family, but the doctor, a bachelor, 
glad of a dinner, was there, and the entire Gates 
family. Lonnie was so glad to see Miss Abigail 
Gates, who was to initiate her into a musical 
paradise, that she could hardly take her eyes 
from her. There were some half dozen or more 
children in the company, and combined with 
the five already at the Bowley homestead, it did 
seem as though one could hardly turn without 
running into children. The control of all the 
small-fry was unanimously handed over to Lon- 
nie, and so nobly did she stand by that task, 
however much she might have been deficient in 
the performance of any other, that the children 
had never a spat and she herself won the highest 
encomiums. 


214 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Christmas ! I should say it Avas ! Why, I 
never saw the church itself trimmed up like 
this 

Nor I ! And the table ! Mis’ Rowley, you 
certainly can boast of your fine linen !” 

I always did take pride in my linen, but it 
did seem like the talent laid away in a napkin, 
I so seldom used it.” 

The china now, not a nick in it !” 

Natural enough, for I always have washed 
it myself, and my mother did the same before 
me. It was her wedding china and mine.” 

^^Amanda Rowley had some right pretty 
china. She had so — gold band and clover leaf. 
I found most of it Avas in good order and I packed 
it all up safe and sound for Frank.” 

‘‘ That’s more than many would ’a’ done. 
Mis’ Rowley.” 

Well, I Avanted Frank to have his own, and 
as good as it came into my hands. There Avas 
two silver candlesticks, and half a dozen sj)Oons, 
and one nice set of linen, but that Avas about all. 
I’m thinking there might have been more, but 


CHRISTMAS DAY 


215 


things waste away in ten or eleven years with- 
out what you might call personal care.’’ 

That’s a true word ; and Frank seems to be 
so pleasant, too.” 

Frank’s just as good a boy as ever was, and 

# 

as good to me as a boy could be, and so kind to 
Bennie that Bennie puts him before anybody.” 

Mrs. Bowley dearly loved to talk, but she 
never had been a woman to air her private 
affairs. 

Well said ! I’m glad to hear that about 
Frank. Many a step-mother don’t have a right 
soft time.” 

You’ll all be ready for your meal, I know, 
after your cold ride. We’ll just bundle up the 
children and let ’em go to the barn for a bit of 
sport, and to keep ’em from under foot. Now, 
you take good care of ’em, Lonnie ; button your 
cloak all the way down, so’s t’ keep the dirt off 
your dress.” 

And with great hubbub and cheering the 
little group trotted off to the barn, where all 
the men seemed to prefer to stay. The guests 


216 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ill the house gathered themselves, more or 
less mindful of the company manners due on 
such an occasion, to look at the photograph 
albums and the stereoscope. 

Mrs. Rowley, thoroughly in her element and 
bristling with proper pride, placed dish after 
dish on the long table, and watched the 
stove and the multitudinous array of cooking 
utensils. 

Frank came in to see if dinner was ready and 
she told him yes, Because,’’ as she explained 
to her friends, “ men folks are so queer ; after 
everything is on the table they are just ready 
to begin looking at the horses’ hoofs, and no 
telling when you’ll fetch ’em !” 

As it was, however, they and the staple 
dishes appeared together. The children 
screamed with open delight at the display, 
which they felt fully capable, at that hungry 
moment, of stowing away. Mr. Rowley beamed 
Avith satisfaction. This was what he liked — 
good company, good cheer, regular old-time 
Christmas doings ! 


CHRISTMAS DAY 


217 


He said aloud to Brother Ben : Don’t 

Letty beat the nation for a cook ! I never had 
a sight of what she could do before ; never a 
glimpse of it !” 

There was scarcely a man at the table but 
had something to carve, and once the knives 
and forks got to rattling and the dishes to 
clinking enjoyment rose to an unaccustomed 
pitch. Many were the well-deserved compli- 
ments heaped on Mrs. Bowley and her cooking, 
while her very ribbons were in a flutter of 
pleasure. 

Frank found himself looking at his step- 
mother in a new light. Since openly confess- 
ing that he meant to behave better to her he 
had been more or less shamefaced about every- 
thing he said or did in her presence ; but this 
day seemed to wipe it all out. She looked so 
pretty to him in her holiday altire, and she had 
prepared such a noble feast, and every one 
praised her so highly, and she did the honors 
so exactly as the wife of a Bowley should, that 
he felt proud she belonged to the family ; and 


218 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


little Bennie was so fat and chunky and sturdy- 
looking that he felt proud of Bennie, too. 

‘^S’posen a feller lived here all the time,’^ 
thought Ted ; ‘‘ my, what a nice place !’’ 

The moment came at last when knives and 
forks refused to officiate longer, and it became 
evident that a new course of treatment should 
be applied. All the dishes that could be con- 
sidered no longer useful were withdrawn; cof- 
fee of the hottest and most fragrant description 
was resorted to, and then, with all eyes fixed upon 
her, in came Mrs. Bowley hearing a noble platter, 
in which reposed an article resembling a foot- 
ball as nearly as anything else, with a sprig of 
green sticking up in the middle. This Avas sol- 
emnly deposited before Mr. Bowley. He, with 
gravity befitting the occasion, made a few re- 
marks, and lighting a match applied it. The 
children shrieked with joy. While still 
wrapped in its delicate blue flames Mr. Bowley 
helped out the true old English plum pudding, 
deluged each dish with a delightfully perva- 
sive sauce, and it was disposed of amid the 


CHKISTMAS DAY 


219 


unanimous declarations that it was undoubtedly 
the finest one ever compounded. 

Ted could not believe his eyes when he found 
there was still more to come. Cakes of every 
description, Charlotte russes, gelatins, creams — 
all manner of things that Mrs. E-owley assured 
her guests wouldn’t set heavy in the least,” 
and would make them all feel better. 

When the long meal was over the lamps and 
candles, which had been stuck up everywhere 
to make sure of sufiicient illumination, were 
already lit, and the guests, satiated and con- 
tented, disposed themselves around the rooms to 
rest and chat. 

Now, I’m just going to set all the cut cakes 
and light things, and the shrub and light cider 
over on the side table, and all the nuts and 
candy, and apples, and pop-corn there, too, so 
the children and everybody can just help them- 
selves; and now, Joe, you and Brother Ben 
get out this table.” 

When the table was removed all the larger 
children and some of the men went to the barn. 


220 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


and then, to a tune played by Abigail Gates 
on the piano, although her music was nearly 
drowned by the shouts of laughter, in came the 
huge log with its Christmas decorations ; and 
riding on it as little king of the feast was 
Bennie Cook, his happy little face aglow with 
fun ; straight through the two rooms, on the 
long oil-cloth spread for it, went the log, and 
was with great pushings and haulings put in its 
place in the yawning hearth, surrounded by the 
inflammable stuff arranged to make it start ; and 
then with more speeches, the matches were 
struck, one being applied by nearly every child, 
and the licking, crackling, snapping, hilarious 
flame roared up the chimney. 

That was a doings, indeed ! 

The fire was burning long after the last guest, 
the last sleepy child, had been tucked into the 
last sleigh and driven away over the crisp snow. 
Every one, weary with the day’s pleasuring, had 
gone to bed except Mr. Eowley and Brother 
Ben, who sat by the fireplace sipping a little 
cider, eating a few nuts, and tasting a little of 


CHRISTMAS DAY 


221 


the delicious cake, talking over the day’s events, 
their neighbors, their plans for the future, and 
their families. 

“ So you don’t seem to think badly of Lon- 
nie ?” 

Not I,” answered Mr. Rowley. She’s been 
a regular mascot for me. Peace and happiness 
have come to this house with her, and she’s as 
kind and good and pleasant a child as ever I 
saw. I think she is true as steel, too.” 

We thought well of her at our house, and 
for nice ways with Bennie I never saw the beat 
of her. Oh, yes, I was terribly angry with her 
for charging up that meat at the meat shop 
and then spending the money ; but after think- 
ing it over, more coolly I commenced to be- 
lieve she didn’t really intend stealing anything, 
because she was meaning to spend it on Bennie. 
It was bad, but I don’t believe she meant any- 
thing bad the Way I thought she did.” 

I’m glad to hear you say that, Ben. It’s 
troubled me a lot. I’ll admit, and made me 
uneasy, but I believe you’ve hit the nail on the 


222 


AN^ ODD LITTLE LASS 


head. It didn’t really show she was natur- 
ally thieving, or meant to out-and-out steal that 
time.” 

“ Well, Joe, this has been a great day for all 
of us. Clear comfort though this is, I guess I’ll 
go to bed, and I’m glad to say I think well of 
Lonnie, now you’ve got her.” 


CHAPTEE XVI 


THE VISIT OF THE TRAMP 

‘‘Well, Ted, my boy,’^ said Mr. Eowley 
genially, and intending to be very deep indeed, 
“ I need another boy to help about the chores. 
As long’s you haven’t anything much to go 
back to town for, and the street is poor pickings 
for any lad that can have better for the choos- 
ing, I propose that you stay here to help Frank 
do chores, and go to school, of course, and earn 
your board and clothes by it. What say you ?” 

They were out in the barn and alone, and Ted 
could see, as he supposed, the whole plan at a 
glance — that Mr. Eowley was sorry for him 
and was going to offer him a home under the 
guise of working for it. He was wildly afraid 
that Mr. Eowley would not press the matter, 
and yet too afraid lest the good man was impos- 
ing on himself to keep quiet. 


223 


224 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


I^D not near so strong as Frank, nor so large. 
No matter how I’d try, I wouldn’t he worth my 
board and clothes at chores, I don’t believe.” 

Oh, I’m the one to settle that,” was the cheer- 
ful response. Then, with sudden confidence : 

There’s more to it than that, too. Frank likes 
you and I want you to he company for him. 
His only friends around here seem to be pretty 
poor stuff, and if he had another boy right here 
at liome he wouldn’t hanker after those others.” 

‘^Like as not they’re a heap better than I 
am,” mumbled Ted, excessively mortified. ‘‘But 
I expect like as not I could be company — any- 
body could.” 

“ No, anybody couldn’t. But we’ll call it set- 
tled, then. As you’re to be right with Frank, 
I calculate to fix you and do for you same as 
him ; so if it’s worse or better than you’re expect- 
ing you’re to consider that it is a part of the 
contract, and keep quiet about it. Frank !” he 
shouted at the barn door. After repeating the 
call, as he always expected to, Frank came from 
around by the pig pens. 


THE VISIT OF THE TRAMP 


225 


“ Frank/' said his father, Fve arranged with 
Ted to stay the rest of the winter, provided 
nothing turns up to hinder, and help you with 
the chores." 

“Jolly ! Oh, my, Ted ! won't we have the fun ! 
Oh, I'll show you all those places we were talk- 
ing about ! Come on, let's go astonish Lonnie !" 

“ I'm glad, too, Ted," saicT Lonnie, heartily. 
“ Seems like we're bound to live together, after 
all." 

“ We'll have the most fun, Ted," said Frank, 
returning to the burden of his song. “ There's 
the most things to do!" 

“ Oh," said Lonnie, scornfully, “ there isn't, 
either. Just nothing happens out here 1" 

She meant what she said at the minute, but 
before the end of the week she would have made 
a different remark. 

Mrs. Rowley and Bennie had gone to spend 
the day with a cousin, the plan being formed 
very hastily at breakfast time. Everybody 
agreed that Mrs. Rowley must go, and that 
Lonnie could get up a famous dinner. 

15 


226 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


After dinner the boys took one of the horses 
to the blacksmith's, and Mr. Eowley drove some 
six miles to see an alleged bargain in heifers. 

Lonnie had gone out for a moment and had 
been dallying around looking at things, as was 
one of her characteristics most aggravating to 
Mrs. Eowley, but when she neared the house 
again she had an ‘ uncomfortable sensation of 
some near-by hostile presence. The kitchen 
looked the same as ever, but it did not feel the 
same. She looked in the sitting-room, and there 
at Mr. Eowley's desk, which lie generally kept 
locked, stood a man — evidently a tramp. 

The uncomfortable feeling that had oppressed 
Lonnie vanished. 

“ I do declare !" she ejaculated. What 
you doing there, anyway?" 

The man turned around with a growl of fear. 
Then seeing that his captor was but a very 
small, red-cheeked, stocky, little curly-haired 
girl, he swore vehemently, and asked what she 
wanted interrupting honest people that way. 

‘‘ You jest quit that now and keep out of Mr. 



“WHAT YOU DOIN’ THERE?” 
(Page 226) 


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THE VISIT OF THE TRAMP 


227 


Rowley ^s things! He’ll be in any minute — long 
before you get very far away, and I’ll tell about 
you so you’ll be caught in no time.” 

I’ll choke you if you say another word,” 
said the man, coming toward her threateningly. 

‘‘And get choked yourself to pay for it,” 
retorted Lonnie, angrily, standing her ground. 

“ You scream and I’ll kill you just where you 
are.” 

“ Who’s going to scream !” said Lonnie, 
reflecting that no one could hear her if she did 
scream. 

“You sit right on that chair there and don’t 
you budge,” and the man pointed to a chair 

Lonnie sat down submissively, for she was 
anxious to see what the man took. 

He turned so that he could see if she made 
any movement, and then hastily appropriated 
whatever seemed to be of any value ; some 
papers, about a hundred dollars in money, some 
notes, and a watch that Mr. Rowley considered 
too fine to carry and which he kept in that 
desk. Then, with what seemed to Lonnie 


228 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


diabolical instinct, he went to a small, flat trunk, 
covered with cretonne, and used as a seat, and 
opened it. There was stowed away Mrs. Eow- 
ley’s chicken money, at that date amounting to 
thirty-two dollars and forty-three cents. Mrs. 
Rowley was planning to buy herself a buggy 
for her own use in the spring. In that trunk 
also, wrapped in tissue and flannel, reposed Mrs. 
Rowley^s choicest silver and a box of carefully 
hoarded bits of jewelry. Lonnie held her 
breath as she saw the man unerringly draw 
forth every single treasure, and tuck them away 
in a bag which he drew from inside his vest. 

“You — you thief !’^ sputtered Lonnie. 

The man clapped the lid of the trunk shut 
and seized her roughly by the shoulder. 

“ Now, I want you to sit right still on that 
chair for an hour, and not breathe nor nothing — 
or youHl be shot sudden.’’ 

“ While you get away !” was the wrathful, 
answer. “ You see whether you do or not !” 

Oh, she wasn’t the least bit afraid of him, and 
he ground his teeth. He shook her until her 


THE VISIT OF THE TRAMP 


229 


teeth chattered. “ I want you to keep still — 
hear 

“And I want you to keep still — hear ?” 

The man hastily whipped off the cretonne 
cover from the trunk and wrapped it around her 
head until she was nearly suffocated. Then he 
wrapped the red-checkered table cloth around 
the rest of her, carried her to the shed, and was 
about to leave her there, when he realized how 
soon she would probably be discovered and 
describe him ; and seeing a large gunny- 
sack half full of potatoes, he emptied out the 
potatoes and thrust Lonnie into the sack. Wild 
for air as she was she still had sense to be thank- 
ful that she was feet downwards. The tramp 
threw her over his shoulder and started on a 
brisk walk across lots. 

As each second of suffocation seemed to Lon- 
nie as long as a year, she judged that she had 
been for ages in the sack by the time they had 
crossed two fields. Her thoughts were of a most 
incoherent and inconsequent nature, but through 
it all ran a feeling that she was very poorly im- 


230 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


pressed with the social qualities of thieves. This 
man was a thief and a liar. There was nothing 
pleasant about him. She did not wish to pur- 
sue the acquaintance. She vaguely regretted 
the possibility that any one might at any time 
have felt so about her. She felt stupid. She 
struggled with all her might to retain conscious- 
ness and guess where they might be, and when 
she could begin to free herself. Now we have 
reached Boston,’’ she thought, and now gone 
through it. And now San Francisco,” making 
a jump to the next geographical name familiar 
to her. ^^And now London ; and now Mada- 
gascar ; and now — ” yes, she surely was being 
put down with a shake she was thankful for, as 
it revived her. 

The tramp had reached the old kiln and was 
rejoiced by its promise as a resting place. 
Lonnie and his other possessions made no light 
weight, and rest he must at any cost. His idea 
was to tie her up to remain until called for, 
which he hoped would not be very soon, refresh 
himself with the contents of his bottle, eat a 


THE VISIT OF THE TRAMP 


231 


little sometliing, and then travel on toward the 
city under cover of the night and be free to 
enjoy his plunder. And he had made a very 
good haul, indeed, for him — a tramp with brain 
power rather below the average, even of tramps. 

He took Lonnie out of the sack and slightly 
loosened the trunk cover in so doing, so that she 
could breathe very comfortably, and by a quiet, 
persistent wriggling even managed to gain a 
very fair view of her captor. The kiln showed 
signs of habitation and of abandonment. Even 
a fire was laid in the rudely-constructed fire- 
place, and after vaguely resisting the impulse 
for a time, the tramp lit it and proceeded to 
make himself comfortable. 

Like to stay here all night,’’ he muttered. 

Not safe, though. Have to git out. Rest me 
a minute, anyway.” 

‘‘Yes, do,” thought Lonnie. 

The tramp took out some chicken and sausage 
and cheese and biscuit. 

“ Oh, my, what good things!” thought Lonnie, 
beginning to feel amazingly hungry. 


232 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Then tlie tramp very affectionately drew out 
from his coat a good-sized black bottle. 

‘‘ Whisky !” was Lonnie’s ecstatic mental 
comment. Now, if he’ll only stick to that 
I’m all right !” 

A good draught preceded the meal, also ac- 
companied it, and finally he imbibed so copi- 
ously at the close that the bottle showed against 
the fire quite empty. 

No more ; all gone ; dry ; empty,” mut- 
tered the man, regretfully. ‘‘ I’ll just rest me 
a minute,” and he stretched himself out beside 
the fire, using the sack for a pillow, and almost 
before Lonnie could believe it possible 'he was 
snoring heavily and sound asleep — a stupid, 
drunken sleep. 

As soon as Lonnie realized the situation she 
spent very little time in wriggling herself free 
from her wrappings and then hurriedly knelt 
down beside him. For the first time in her life 
she experienced a sensation of loathing for 
something wrong, bad, wicked. She shuddered 
a moment and drew back, then admonishing 


THE YI81T OF THE TKAMP 


233 


herself not to be silly she rapidly unbuttoned 
his vest and drew out the bag. She was not a 
moment too soon, for the tramp rolled heavily 
over on his face and her small strength would 
not have sufficed to have turned him. 

Her spirits at once rose when she saw she 
had already accomj)lished what would so soon 
have become impossible, and then she went to 
the little opening' to look out on the world. It 
was night, but not dark. She knew where the 
kiln was, about half a mile from the road, and 
from that point on the road to the Rowleys was 
nearly a mile. Cross lots the distance was only 
about half, but Lonnie felt uncertain of the di- 
rection and knew that part of the way was hilly 
and diversified by a piece of woods. She de- 
cided that she would go the easiest way, even 
though she knew it to be farther. 

It was very cold and she was only dressed for 
the house, but her bonds came in good play. 
Securing the bag as well as she could, she 
wrapped herself in the red cotton table cloth 
and started out. 


234 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


From the top of the little hill back of the 
kiln she could see a light in the Rider farm- 
house. I could go over there easy as not/’ 
thought Lonnie, quick, too. And Rider and 
the hired man would turn out and catch him in 
no time. I won’t do it, though. Uncle Joe 
and Frank would like to catch him themselyes, 
and we’ll keep it all in the family. And Riders 
would be dead certain to make me give up the 
hag, and they’d just go meddlin’ and pry in’ 
through it, and all Uncle Joe’s papers and 
Aunt Lettie’s jewelry and all !” She was con- 
scious that any meddling and prying done by 
the Riders would look very mean to her, and 
shrugged her shoulders as she thought of it. 

‘‘No, sir; from that oak tree over there it’s 
as plain as a pikestaff to get to the road, and 
then I can go as fast as I’ve a mind to. Home 
for me !” and off she started. 

Reaching the oak tree was no easy matter ; 
the ground was very stony and uneven and the 
table cloth was a very poor sort of drapery. 
Some corner was constantly slipping from her 


THE VISIT OF THE TEAMP 


235 


and tripping her up, and even all her exertions 
could not prevent her fingers and feet feeling 
chilled through. 

When she reached the oak tree she was 
obliged to rehabilitate herself. The bag was get- 
ting away from her and the table cloth abso- 
lutely refused to be controlled. After harness- 
ing herself with quite a little better success she 
started out again. The way was easy enough now, 
as from the oak tree to the road there was a cow 
path. Lonnie stumbled along, cold and uncom- 
fortable, but. quite jovial withal over the pros- 
pect of the family’s pleasure at receiving again 
their possessions. What do you suj)pose they’ll 
think,” she thought, ‘‘ when they find every- 
thing open and all the things stolen away and 
me gone !” 


CHAPTEE XVII 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 

After Mr. Eowley had finished his business 
he stopped for Mrs. Eowley and Bennie and 
drove them home. He put them out at the side 
door and drove on to the barn. Before he had 
fairly taken up the lines a scream from Mrs. 
Eowley startled him. 

Joseph ! Joseph !” she shrieked, and came 
to the door grasping Bennie as tightly as possi- 
ble and giving him spasmodic shakes instead 
of wringing her hands. 

Well, now, Letty, what is it inquired Mr. 
Eowley, anxiously and hastily stepj)ing upon 
the porch. 

‘‘Joseph!” was Mrs. Eowley^s only answer. 

Mr. Eowley started to go in the door, but 
Mrs. Eowley disengaged a hand from Bennie 
and seized the pocket of Mr. Eowley ’s coat. 
“Joseph, don’t! You’ll be murdered!” 

236 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


237 


This seemed to be an added incentive to 
entrance, and Mr. Eowley went in, followed by 
his weeping wife. He was sufficiently aghast 
when he looked around. His beloved desk 
open and the contents spread over the floor. 
His wife’s dearly treasured little trunk open and 
the things scattered right and left. He looked 
around in bewilderment, and noticed that the 
table cover was gone. In the shed potatoes 
strewed the floor. 

The boys had returned from the blacksmith’s 
some time previously, but had remained in the 
barn, working at a trap. They heard Mrs. 
Eowley’s scream and hurried to the house. As 
they entered the door the same scene of con- 
fusion met their eyes. 

‘‘ Burglar !” exclaimed Ted. 

“ Thieves !” groaned Mrs. Rowley, sitting, 
very gingerly, on the edge of a rocking-chair, 
and clasping the struggling Bennie. 

‘‘Tramps!” gloomil}^ hazarded Mr. Rowley. 

“ Some of Lonnie’s doings 1” said Frank, sus- 
piciously. 


238 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Sure enough, where was Lonnie. 

‘‘Oh, that joking Lonnie!’’ exclaimed Mrs. 
Rowley, seizing at once on something familiar 
and less gruesome ; “ oh, my good things I” 

She looked in the trunk and burst out weep- 
ing afresh. Her silver gone. Her jewelry gone. 
Yes, even her chicken-money gone I 

“ Oh ! oh I oh 1” she cried, “ what can Lon- 
nie mean. Nobody else could have known just 
where I kept my things 1” 

“ Come, come, Letty, no use accusing Lonnie 
first thing. That was just Frank’s nonsense. 
She wouldn’t touch the things !” 

“ Oh, she’s always touching things I — and now 
my things are gone 1” and she wept afresh, as- 
sisted, this time, by Bennie, who had previously 
remained imperturbable. 

“ Why, Lonnie wouldn’t go off with them,” 
said Ted, indignantly, conscious in his philo- 
sophical way of the very insecure hold 
he and Lonnie' had in this fiimily, and 
recognizing that any suspicion there could 
be cast on Lonnie might just as well be 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


239 


turned on himself if circumstances seemed to 
favor it. 

‘‘ Of course not said Mr. Rowley. Anybody 
would think we were crazy !” 

He examined his desk, muttering dejectedly 
as he did so. So much hard cash gone ; three 
notes gone, and the loss of one, at least, liable 
to be a very serious matter ; other papers gone. 
Then he turned his attention to his wife’s mis- 
fortunes. Her hard-earned chicken-money gone 
absolutely ; her treasured silver and jewelry. 

‘‘Where is Lonnie, anyway?” asked Frank. 

“ If she was here all alone when somebody 
came to steal,” said Ted, “ it’s like enough she’d 
run somewhere for help. I would. She’d go to 
Gates’, maybe.” 

“ That’s so, Ted, my boy,” said Mr. Rowley ; 
“ of course she would ! You boys go on over and 
see. However 'do you suppose those potatoes 
came on the floor and what became of the table 
cloth ? Well — this is getting to be a dangerous 
neighborhood for certain.” 

“Come on, Frank, let’s go,” urged Ted, thank- 


240 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ful from the bottom of his heart that he had 
been with Frank all day and that nobody 
could be thinking he was to blame for the 
afternoon’s misfortunes. 

As they started on a dog trot across the fields 
Frank began. 

I don’t believe Lonnie’s over here at Gates’.” 

Well, what do you believe ?” rather testily. 

“ I think she’s hiding somewhere.” 

“ What on earth makes you think Lonnie 
would take money out of Uncle Joe’s desk?” 

“ Why, I think Lonnie would do pretty near 
anything.” 

But why should you think she would do 
that ? What good would it do her to have those 
things ? ” 

Oh, I don’t mean she stole ’em !” ejaculated 
Frank, horrified at the idea. I meant Ithought 
it was a trick sh^ played — a joke — to stir every- 
thing up, so she could see mother fuss and 
father stir around like a hen on a hot griddle.” 

Oh !” Ted felt a weight lifted from him. It 
wasn’t so bad to think that, and it was like 


HEAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


241 


Lonnie, after all. Perhaps she was just that 
foolish. 

When they reached the Gates^ side door, 
panting, and their knock was answered, they 
burst out simultaneously : 

Is Lonnie here?’’ 

Lonnie ? Why, no. Lonnie hasn’t been 
here. Mother, has Lonnie been here ?” 

Bless you, no ! Certainly not! Come right 
in, boys ; don’t stay out there in the cold ; come 
in 1” as they stood rather sheejDishly inside 
the kitchen door; ‘‘come in and have a hot 
doughnut!” She scented a pleasing mystery 
and was bent on unraveling it. 

“ Abigail ! Oh, Abigail, come here ! You 
didn’t see Lonnie, did you ?” 

“ No, indeed ; what’s the matter with Lon- 
nie ?” 

“ There, now you have swallowed that dough- 
nut, speak up like a little man and tell us 
what’s the matter.” 

“Why, we were all away from home this 
afternoon, except Lonnie, and when we got back, 
16 


242 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


father and mother and all of us, we found 
father’s desk broken open and money gone and 
things, and mother’s things gone, and we can’t 
find Lonnie, and we thought maybe she had come 
over here for help.” 

No ; she hasn’t been here.” 

Did you look in the barn ?” said Abigail. 

Likely she got scared and hid there quick as 
she saw the villain. I would run to the barn 
quick as ever I saw one.” 

The boys looked at each other. If Lonnie 
had been hiding in the barn from fear, she 
would have joined them quickly enough while 
they were working over their trap. 

‘‘ More likely the villain slew her and you 
will find her gory body,” suggested the other 
daughter, who was possessed of a fertile, but 
exceedingly morbid imagination. 

Frank gave a shudder, but Ted was far from 
being unaccustomed to suggestions of violence. 

“ Perhaps your pa would like Mr. Gates to 
come over with the man and help hunt.” 

No, I guess not,” said Frank, hastily. He 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


243 


can come over and let Mr. Gates know if be 
means to. We must be going before ifs all tbe 
way dark.’’ 

“ Yes, to be sure. If thieves and tramps are 
abroad you’re liable to be nabbed on tbe way 
borne,” said tbe younger daughter, but Abigail 
gave them each two fat, hot doughnuts and 
they sallied forth again. It was growing dark, 
and they whistled vigorously as they went 
along. 

‘‘ Sho, Ted ! There, what’s that back of that 
tree ?” and with one accord they broke into a 
quick run. 

It’s that old billy goat,” panted Ted, who 
had looked again. Don’t let’s run any more. 
I’m tired.” 

Well, there’s our light. We’ll be there 
pretty quick, now. Where do you suppose 
Lonnie is ?” 

‘‘ P’raps she tried to hide somewhere and 
shut herself in and can’t get out.” 

‘‘ Or went to sleep.” 

Maybe.” 


244 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Oh, there ! Now that was somebody back 
of our haystack/' 

‘‘ It is, sure !" 

And they ran like mad, fairly tumbling on 
their side steps and throwing themselves inside 
the door. 

Mrs. Rowley gave a slight scream. 

‘‘ What is the matter with you boys ?" 

Oh, we saw the burglar out here !" 

The thief?" 

The tramp ?" 

What did he say ?" 

“ Why — why. Why, he didn't say any- 
thing. We ran !" 

‘‘ Yes, I can see you ran. Did you hear 
anything of Lonnie ?" 

No ; she hadn't been at Gates'." 

‘*Jane Gates said the burglar had most 
likely killed her and we would find her gory 
body." 

My, my, my !" groaned Mrs. Rowley. 
‘‘ Joseph, do you think so ?" 

No, of course not !" Then, with sudden de- 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


245 


termination, No more crying over spilt milk 
here ! I^m going to shut up my things and 
quit the whole business, except Lonnie.’’ 

Oh, my things !” sobbed his wife. 

Oh, we’ll get them, don’t worry ! I meant 
I wasn’t going to fret, I was going to do. I’ll 
think up some plan and go ahead on it, but it’s 
late and we must eat first ; come, boys, fly 
around and straighten up here. It’s well nigh 
as cold as a barn and Bennie freezing. Hustle 
in some wood, there ! Come, Letty, cheer up ! 
You shall have all your things to-morrow, I 
am sure of it. Bowleys aren’t the men, father 
nor son, to be robbed by any one that chooses. 
Come, now, hustle, boys ! rattle around !” 

The boys were already at work at the stove, 
and by the time Mr. Kowley had shut up his 
desk and got the trunk out of sight and con- 
soled Bennie, Mrs. Eowley had revived suffi- 
ciently to spread the cloth and get ready a supper. 

What you going to do about it, father ?” 
asked Frank while they ate. 

I am going to look all around the place for 


246 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Lonnie, then I am going to stir up Gates and all 
the neighbors to hunt for her ; and notify the 
sheriff, and wake things up generally/’ 

‘^Oh, Joseph!” groaned his wife, her fears 
bursting forth afresh, ‘‘ you’ll be killed before 
the night’s out I” 

‘^Likely !” 

Well, father, I can go, can’t I ?” 

No, sir ! No boys allowed this trip !” 

My beautiful brooch that my great-grand- 
mother wore !” and Mrs. Rowley was again all 
but in tears. 

^‘And your chicken-money !” said Ted, add- 
ing fuel to the flame. 

I’ve lost over a hundred myself,” said Mr. 
Rowley. 

A scuffling noise was heard around the house, 
then a kicking on the steps, and a stamping and 
dragging on the porch. 

Every one at the table started and looked 
askance. Mr. Rowley half rose from his chair, 
with the carving-knife as a weapon. Mrs. 
Rowley’s eyes were opened wide. Ted and 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


247 


Frank were staring, as though hypnotized, at 
Mr. Rowley. Then the door opened, and as 
Mr. Rowley recovered the power of motion and 
started forward, in came Lonnie, red-cheeked 
and panting. 

DidnT suppose I’d be here in time for 
supper ! My, hut I’m hungry ! Here’s your 
things. Uncle Joe !” 

Lonnie !” ejaculated Mr. Rowley ; how did 
you get here ?” 

''Walked. Better ask how I got away from 
here !” 

" Is my brooch in there, Lonnie ?” pleaded 
Mrs. Rowley. 

" Guess it is !” 

" Then I forgive you !” she murmured, for 
her mind had at once reverted to the idea that 
Lonnie was to blame for the whole proceeding. 

" Forgive me for what !” sputtered Lonnie. 

" Sit down, Lonnie, sit down. You are clean 
tired out. Letty, give her some tea, or some- 
thing. Wherever did you get that table cloth 
to go out in ?” 


248 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


The reaction had set in, and Frank and Ted 
were in fits of laughter at her efforts to disen- 
tangle herself from her toga. 

She freed one hand, and quick as lightning 
gave each of the boys a good slap on the cheek. 
“ Guess you’d been glad to wear a table cloth, 
cold night like this, if you hadn’t anything else ! 
Uncle Joe, I jes’ wish you’d strap ’em both !” 

Mr. Eowley had managed to untwine her, 
and finding that she really was trembling with 
cold and exhaustion, he seated her in his favor- 
ite arm-chair by the stove and chafed her hands, 
and plied her with hot tea until she felt better. 
The boys stood by eyeing her curiously, while 
Mrs. Eowley kept looking at the bag, though 
not daring to touch it. 

Were you the tramp, Lonnie ?” asked Frank. 

‘‘ Uncle Joe, let me get up and hit him, if you 
won’t !” was the exasperated answer. 

‘‘ Now, Lonnie, you just sit quiet, and when 
you feel rested and warm, tell us about it,” said 
Mr. Eowley, soothingly. 

‘‘ I can tell now just as well.” 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


249 


‘‘All right/’ chimed in Frank, eagerly. 
“ What were you wearing that table cloth for?” 
' “ To keep me warm !” 

“ Well — but — your coat — ?” 

“ What were those potatoes on the floor for ?” 
asked Ted. 

“ Tramp emptied them out of the sack.” 

“ Tramp !” cried everybody. 

Now that Lonnie and the things were back 
the tramp seemed a mere chimera. 

“Yes; a thief !” 

“ What did he empty the potatoes out for ?” 
pursued Ted. 

“ So as to have the sack.” 

“ What did he do with the sack ?” 

“ Put me in it.” 

“ Oh !” exclaimed the audience. 

“ Why didn’t you yell ?” went on Ted, the 
others seeming to defer to his skill in question- 
ing by common consent. 

“ He wrapped me up in the table cloth and 
trunk cover, so I couldn’t.” 

“ Oh, mercy, mercy !” shrieked Mrs. Rowley. 


250 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘And youMl catch him, won^t you, Uncle 
Joe ? He is over to the old kiln yet, but when 
he wakes up and finds I’m gone, he’ll get out 
as quick as ever he can.” 

And Lonnie told the particulars of her ab- 
duction and subsequent escape. 

“ Yes, indeed,” chuckled Mr. Rowley. “ He 
will be safe with the sheriff before he wakes up.” 

“ I’ve been a long time a-coming,” said Lon- 
nie, doubtfully. 

“ I’m not even going to wait to look at the 
stuff ; yes. I’ll have to, though, catch a sight of it;” 
and while the others, Lonnie excepted, crowded 
around him, though with the expression of 
expecting a wild animal to leap out at them, 
Mr. Rowley opened the bag and hastily ex- 
tracted Mrs. Rowley’s silver and some of the 
more cumbrous articles, and some of his own 
papers. 

“There !” he exclaimed, “ I’ve got to hurry ! 
I’ve seen ’em and that’s enough ; get me my lan- 
tern, Frank ! I’ll get the gun !” 

“ Oh, Joseph !” moaned Mrs. Rowley. 


EEAL KOWLEY PLUCK 


251 


Now, Letty,’’ said Mr. Rowley, reproach- 
fully, I thought when you got your things 
back you would be as chipper as a bird. Good- 
by all. No, I’m not going to kiss anybody ; 
I’ll do that when I come back. Not a bit of dan- 
ger in the world ; not the least bit. Good-by all. 
Now, boys, take good care of your mother.” 

Lonnie gave Ted a poke in the ribs, but he 
refused to smile. 

Mr. Rowley slammed the door mightily after 
him and stamped down the porch steps, while 
the little group by the stove looked at each 
other with more or less apprehension. 

I’m hungry ; everybody has had supper but 
me !” and Lonnie moved up to the table, and 
with the first mouthful her tongue seemed to be- 
come lubricated, and she entered on a vivid de- 
scription of the tramp’s doings in the kiln, while 
the boys listened, open-mouthed. 

Thu humor of the description soothed Mrs. 
Rowley to such a degree that she was able to take 
the clothes from the sleeping Bennie, put on his 
nightgown and lay him in bed. Then they all 


252 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


joined in the process of clearing up, actuated by 
a desire to keep together. 

After that task had been stretched out to the 
last limit, they sat around the stove again, talk- 
ing with longer and longer pauses and a more 
strongly marked tendency each moment to start 
at every sound. And each one was manifestly 
listening for something to break the outside 
stillness. Then it came. The clip-clap of the 
horse’s feet, his neighing, snuffing of the air and 
the loud, cheerful ‘‘ whoa !” from Mr. Rowley, 
which sent a thrill of joyous relief through each 
one of the waiting group. 

In he came, and was greeted with a perfect 
volley of questions. 

“ Got him ? Of course we did ; landed him 
high and dry ! Too drunk to know where he is 
yet. I’ll be bound. You are a trump, Lonnie. If it 
hadn’t been for you he would have been in Bos- 
ton, and then good-by Jack — we never would 
have got him ! I can tell you, Letty, you may 
thank Lonnie that you still have your brooch 
and your silver and your chicken-money ! 


REAL ROWLEY PLUCK 


253 


Sound asleep there by the fire, and it^s lucky 
for him we got there, he would have been 
burned alive if we hadn^t ! Why, his coat sleeve 
was jfire already ! I was thankful he was saved 
an end like that. Your kiln would have been 
haunted forever, Frank — don’t know but it is 
now. Well, we got him, and I say Lonnie’s the 
girl with pluck, real, downright Kowley pluck ! 
And I’m obliged to you, Lonnie, this night, I 
am !” 

Mr. Rowley’s beaming, genial smile warmed 
Lonnie through and through. There seemed to 
be an element of self-respect in the feeling that 
was like nothing she had ever consciously ex- 
perienced before, and she smiled cordially back. 


CHAPTEE XVIII 


A CALL ON THE MATRON 

The affair with the tramp induced Mr. 
Eowley, as he meditated on his recovered notes 
and undiminished cash in hand, to plan some- 
thing that might show his appreciation to 
Lonnie. But study as he would he could think 
of no feasible scheme. As for Mrs. Eowley, 
she said she felt more like putting up with 
Lonnie^s exasperating idiosyncrasies in regard 
to her household duties than before, and, for her 
part, teaching her good, sensible, thrifty ways 
was plenty enough. And Mr. Eowley thought 
so, too. Still he wished there was something he 
could do that would seem a little extra in her 
behalf. 

Lonnie was out in the barn looking for eggs, 
when it occurred to Mr. Eowley to ask her if 
there was anything she particularly wanted. 

254 


A CALL ON THE MATRON 255 

If there was just one sort of small thing 
you could have or do, kind of extra-like, Lon- 
nie, what would it be V’ he inquired, in the style 
which he always so much admired in himself 
for its diplomacy. 

And, to Lonnie’s surprise, she knew. She 
really could not have told that she had thought 
very much about it, or regretted it much, or 
planned anything about it, hut, all of a sudden, 
the idea seemed to come into her mind. 

She started to speak and then stopped, red- 
dening uncomfortably. 

Mr. Rowley stopped his work and looked at 
her curiously. He had not expected much of 
an answer. 

Why don’t you speak, Lonnie ?” 

Lonnie picked an egg out of her apron and 
examined it minutely. 

Go on, Lonnie.” 

Oh, you see. Uncle Joe, while I was at that 
Home I did an awful thing. I — I — well, I just 
broke a little box that belonged to the matron, 
and it made her feel bad, and I really was sorry 


256 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


I broke that box, and if you could think of 
some work to give me to do that you were going 
to pay somebody for, maybe you could pay me 
enough to get her a new box. P’raps I could 
paint the barn or get up your hay next summer, 
or — or — or — clean the cistern — or — ” 

But Mr. Bowley was laughing. 

‘‘There, I knew you’d laugh, or something,” 
and Lonnie looked quite defiant. 

“ Sho — pshaw, never mind ! we’ll think of 
something. That’s right. Always pay back 
what you owe, and you owe the matron a new 
box, surely. You were a good girl to tell me.” 

Mr. Bowley decided that he would drive up 
to Boston on the very next Saturday if the 
roads were firm and the day fair, and that he 
would not take the boys, but would take Lon- 
nie instead. Saturday had to be the day chosen, 
as Lonnie was now going to school with the 
boys. The first few days that she went she be- 
haved moderately well and had become what 
one of the girls called “ the girl in the school.” 
The next stage was one in which elation over 


A CALL ON THE MATKON 


257 


her previous success as a star carried her to 
wild extremes. To be impudent, or smart,’' 
to draw a laugh, or have a chaffer with some of 
the large boys, seemed to be her wildest ambi- 
tion. To say ‘‘ don’t know ” and appear care- 
less was her role to Mr. Long, and he was sorry 
for the day Lonnie had crossed his path. Frank 
and Ted, however, after the first day or so of 
this freak became exceedingly restless under it. 
They remonstrated, but to no purpose. 

You’re a perfect born idiot, Lonnie,” 
growled Ted to her privately one day. You 
think you’re smart, but you’re just turning 
everybody against you, and if Uncle Joe hears 
of it something will happen, sure! He can’t 
stand that sort of thing, and I know you 
don’t know anything. Why don’t you learn ? 
You’re an awful goose, I tell you!” 

Lonnie was secretly enraged and mortified, 
but she tossed her head and said Ted was '' no- 
body,” and behaved worse than ever next day. 

Lonnie,” said Frank fiercely to her, ''if you 
don’t quit acting so I’ll tell father and we’ll see 
17 


258 


AX ODD LITTLE LASS 


about it ! I’m ashamed to have you come from 
our house !” 

And that from Frank ! 

Oh, you !” flamed Lonnie ; you’re a pretty 
one to talk, good as you’ve always acted in 
school !” 

However, the philosophical Ted was used to 
Lonnie and knew her like a book. 

can fix her, Frank,” he said, ^^if you’ll 
join in, and you won’t have to tell your father. 
It would be pretty hard on her to do that. I 
don’t think she would tell on you for any- 
thing.” 

Frank knew she wouldn’t also, but he was 
bitterly incensed at the way she behaved. 

“ What can we do ?” he asked. 

“Oh, just work it right after school, and 
maybe get Mr. Long to help a little, and every 
time she says ‘ don’t know,’ or acts flat, or 
chaffs, or sasses, get the boys to hiss or yah or 
something, so she’ll know they’re laughing at 
her and not because she is amusing.” 

Frank caught up the plan with gusto and 


A CALL ON THE MATRON 


259 


that night they sounded Mr. Long and secured 
a tacit assurance that he would let anything of 
the kind pass unnoticed for a day or two until 
they could see if it had any effect. The next 
morning he called the little class forward and 
wrote on the board : I see a rat.’’ 

Lonnie,” he said, read that.” 

Shoot that hat !” was the prompt reply. 

Hiss-ss-ss ” went around the room so un- 
mistakably that Lonnie jumped. 

Mr. Long appeared not to have noticed it. 

I did not understand, Lonnie. Read it 
again, please, and more slowly.” 

I can’t see it,” uncertainly. 

“ His^-ss-ss ” again, while Lonnie’s eyes 
dilated. 

‘‘ I think you can see it, but you may come 
forward to the board, take the pointer, and read 
each word distinctly as you point to it.” 

Lonnie gathered herself together for a final 
effort, shook her hair, stepped nimbly forward, 
took the pointer and sang out, I see a red 
head!” 


260 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


There was a slight titter, as Mr. Long’s hair 
was popularly termed red, but it was drowned by 
a violent hissing. 

‘‘You are excessively stupid, Lonnie,” said 
Mr. Long, “ not to be able to read any better 
than that. You may wear the fool’s cap for 
fifteen minutes.” 

Lonnie, consumed with vexation at the dis- 
tinct failure of her great stroke, marched stub- 
bornly to the stool, and sat there grimacing, ex- 
pecting to raise sympathetic snickers, but was 
promptly met by hisses ; and then for fifteen 
minutes she was the object of contumely from 
all parts of the room — even paper wads were 
thrown at her — while the usually strict teacher 
seemed to notice nothing amiss ; derisive faces 
were made at her and she heard deadly whis- 
pers of “ smarty,” “ face-maker,” “ sass-box.” 
She could have burst into tears readily enough, 
but she stiffened her body and her face, and sat 
there so rigid and so unseeingly staring that it 
aroused a desperate pity for her in Mr. Long’s 
heart and also in Frank’s. Ted knew so well 


A CALL ON THE MATRON 


261 


what she could stand when put to it, and was also 
so afraid that she would, unless prevented, 
behave badly enough to be blamed by Mr. 
Rowley, that he was only anxious lest the lesson 
should not cut deep enough. 

Now, Lonnie,’’ said Mr. Long, when the fif- 
teen minutes were up, you may put on your 
things and go outside. Evidently this school 
is not the place for you in your present frame 
of mind. Listen. If you do not wish to be 
taught, and do not wish to behave properly in 
school, you may go home now. If you think 
you are able to learn and wish to keep the 
school rules, you may stay outside until I see fit 
to give you another chance.” 

The room was still while Mr. Long was speak- 
ing, and then every one clapped and tramped, 
while Lonnie, with flaming cheeks, but head 
well up, walked out. 

Oh, she did not know what to do ! Go home 
she wouldn’t, for she just loved to go to school ; 
the little excitements of school life, the boys and 
girls, the pleasure of it all, she could not give 


262 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


up ! And to have them all treat her that way, 
it was shameful ! Why, she had thought they 
would all stand by her and laugh with her, no 
matter what she did. Well, she wasn^t going home 
at any rate. She would go back when she got 
a chance, and she would just show that man 
whether she could learn or not! She would 
go right along and get into Ted’s class, and 
Frank’s, and beat both ! She wouldn’t act as 
though she remembered a thing about what any 
of them did. 

Finally Mr. Long became nervous on the 
subject, and imagined Lonnie going home and 
telling a terrible tale of the morning’s doings, 
or going away somewhere else, or catching cold 
outdoors, and other shocking things, and sent a 
girl to call her in. 

Now, everybody remember no notice what- 
ever is to be taken of Lonnie if she comes in,” 
he said sharply, to Frank’s relief. 

Lonnie came, and, in spite of Mr. Long’s 
warning, every one managed to get a good look 
at her. She looked as fresh and happy and 


A CALL ON THE MATRON 263 

nice as a little rose. She took her seat with an 
obedient, interested air. When the class was 
called next, though Mr. Long dreaded the 
ordeal and every pupil in the school was alert 
for new and shocking developments, every ques- 
tion put to Lonnie was answered with a prompt- 
ness and accuracy that left nothing to be de- 
sired. When recess came she would have been 
picked out at once as the nicest-mannered little 
damsel on the playground. 

The boys carried home golden reports of her 
achievements, passing over the earlier experi- 
ence, and Mr. Rowley praised her unstintingly, 
and from that time on she made a most unim- 
peachable record, and her advance was surpris- 
ing. 

Mr. Rowley decided, consequently, that when 
he took Lonnie to Boston it must be on a Satur- 
day, and on a Saturday it was that he drove 
her in a wagon loaded with some well-covered 
cabbages to the enchanted city. Lonnie, well 
wrapped up and brimming over with excite- 
ment, was perched up beside him on the high 


264 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


seat ; and the thought that Mrs. Rowley looked 
with doubt on the proceeding and that both the 
boys envied her her good fortune rather in- 
creased her delight than otherwise. 

What sort of a box was Miss Harding’s ?” 

Miss who’s ?” 

‘‘ Miss Harding’s — the matron’s.” 

‘‘ Oh, is that her name ! I thought it was 
just matron !” 

“ What did you call her ?” 

‘^Aunt Jane; every one called her Aunt 
Jane.” 

That’s funny. How did you come to break 
the box ?” 

Oh, trying to open it. Whose farm’s that ?” . 

“ Nobody owns it that you know ; but that 
one over there where the red barn is, is the 
Harding farm. A cousin of the matron’s 
owns it now.” 

Do you know her ?” 

Land, yes ! I used to think she was going 
to be my sister-in-law. Fifteen years ago, be- 
fore my brother John went rovin’ away out 


A CALL ON THE MATKON 


265 


West, he used to keep company with Jane 
Harding, and a mighty fine girl she was, too ! 
I’m bound to think there was some misunder- 
standing between them, the way he went off and 
the way she did afterwards ; but I don’t know.” 

Mr. E-owley seemed to have forgotten his in- 
terlocutor; then he roused up: ^‘Well, well! 
What kind of a box do you say it was ?” 

“ Oh, it was a funny, longish box, without 
any way you could see to open it, and made of 
little bits of pieces of wood that smelled good.” 

Do tell 1 Why, I used to know jes’ such a 
box. I verily believe that must be a box we 
had, or John had, and that John gave to Jane 
Harding. I do verily believe it. No use your 
trying to buy a box like that. You just 
couldn’t do it. That came from England ever 
so long ago, and was brought there from China 
or some foreign place, for in England a good 
many of the Eowleys were seafaring men. I 
always thought John had a roving, seafaring 
streak in him, maybe. But you can’t buy any 
such box as that.” 


266 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


What’ll I do then ?” said Lonnie, consider- 
ably disappointed at the prospect of having to 
give up a shopping expedition. 

Better get her something else more trifling, 
and go say you’re sorry you did such a thing.” 

That wasn’t so pleasant, but then anything 
made a variety. 

She finally bought an account book and pen- 
cil, and Mr. Bowley took her to the door and 
waited in the wagon for her. I guess I won’t 
go in this time, Lonnie,” he said. ‘‘ Next time I 
come up I’ll bring Miss Jane some good butter 
and then I’ll see her.” 

Mary came to the door. 

“Well, Lonnie!” she ejaculated, her face 
lighting with pleasure. “ You’re not sent back, 
are you ?” 

“ No, ’course not,” answered Lonnie, laughing. 
“ I’ve come to bring a present to the matron. 
I’d a brought one to you and Kate if I’d 
thought about it.” 

“ Pity you didn’t think about it, then,” was 
the rejoinder. “ Kate nor I don’t have such a 


A CALL ON THE MATKON 267 

terrible sight of presents. Here, Aunt Jane 
will see you now, I guess.’’ She knocked at the 
door and, after a summons from within, an- 
nounced mischievously, ‘‘Aunt Jane, here’s Lon- 
nie back again ! ” 

“ Mercy, Mary ! I haven’t had any word !” 

“Just making a call,” supplemented Mary, 
while the matron’s face cleared somewhat. 

“ Come in, Lonnie ; how do you do ?” 

“Oh, I’m well. I just stopped a minute to 
give you a present,” and Lonnie importantly 
handed over her package. 

“ Why, that’s kind of you. Where are you 
now? I don’t believe I ever knew certainly 
where the Board did send you, come to think 
of it.” 

“ I’m at Mr. Bowley’s — Mr. Joseph Kowley’s.” 

The matron started slightly. “Oh, yes; 
there was talk of it, but I didn’t know the Board 
decided finally to send you. How are they all ?” 

“ They’re all well.” 

“Who all are in the family?” asked Miss 
Harding, trying to conceal her interest. 


268 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“Uncle Joe and Aunt Letty, and Frank and 
Bennie, and Ted and me. Say, I’m sorry I 
was so bad, but I’m behaving splendid now. 
Good-by,” and Lonnie beat a somewhat hasty 
retreat. 

But Lonnie had acquired a fictitious value in 
the eyes of the matron by reason of her residing 
with the Rowleys ; unwonted stirrings were in 
her heart, and she did not wish to wholly lose 
the chance of any possible information on a cer- 
tain point. 

“ Come again, Lonnie, I’ll be glad to see you ; 
and tell Mr. Rowley I would be real glad to see 
him, too. Perhaps he doesn’t know it, but I 
would. Don’t forget to tell him.” 

“ Oh, she would, would she ?” said Mr. Row- 
ley, thoughtfully, when Lonnie delivered her 
message. “ I would ’a’ gone in if I’d known it. 
I’ll take her some things next time I come in, 
and stop a bit to chat. G’up, Peg !” 


CHAPTER XIX 


A TELEGRAM 

“ What can be the matter with father, Ted T’ 

Frank gazed anxiously at his father’s back as 
Mr. Rowley walked slowly up the path from the 
barn to the house. He had driven off to town 
early in the morning and, after an unusual 
absence, had returned so manifestly disturbed 
and unconscious of what he was doing that the 
boys, doing chores out in the barn and eager to 
talk with him about a scheme of their own, 
were dumfounded. 

He does act queer for a fact,” assented Ted. 

Perhaps he’s got a chance to sell stock or some- 
thing.” 

It was the latter part of June. If Ted had 
enjoyed the farm through the cold weather, his 
deep, still delight in the spring beauty of the 
Rowley place and the country round about was 

269 


270 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


almost inexpressible. As for Frank, he knew 
nothing else, and apart from the spring thrills 
that seized him, just about as they did the little 
calves in the barnyard, he was not conscious of 
any particular glorying in sky or field or wooded 
slope. As for Lonnie, the spring was in her 
blood, too, but the country was a poor change at 
best for the city. Give her a street — a good 
brick street with people on it — the more the 
better. But she was possessed of a spirit of 
adaptability that made her seize on and make 
the most of every gay thing that came in her 
way, country or city. 

When Mr. Bowley entered the house his 
manner speedily impressed itself on Mrs. 
Bowley. 

For the land sakes, Lonnie, what do you 
suppose is ailin’ Uncle Joe !” she exclaimed to 
Lonnie out in the shed-room, where she and 
Lonnie were pasting labels on jelly tumblers. 
‘‘ I couldn’t get a whole word out of him, and I 
don’t half believe he knows he’s home. You go 
see if you can rouse him ; there’s a good girl !” 


A TELEGRAM 


271 


Lonnie picked up a tumbler of currant jelly, 
clear as a jewel and seemingly filled with light 
itself, and hurried into the sitting-room. 

Look, Uncle Joe, how's that ? Want a taste ? 
Here — here's a spoon — de-li-ci-ous !" 

She got him to take a taste and nearly half 
the tumbler immediately followed. 

There ! how's that ? Good ?" 

‘‘ Splendid ! Can't beat Letty making jelly," 
was the appreciative answer which brought a 
glow to Mrs. Rowley's cheeks. 

Well, Joe," she said, I'm glad to see you 
waked up again. Whatever's the matter with 
you ?" 

Matter enough," was the solemn reply. 

Letty, sit down ; I don't know when I've 
been more upset." 

The boys had come up to the house and edged 
themselves into the room in an awed manner 
in time to hear the last words, and they straight- 
way removed their hats in deference to so 
solemn an occasion, and seated themselves 
stifily on the extreme edge of the same chair 


272 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


for the sake of the moral support derived from 
propinquity. 

Lonnie, radiant with the expectation of any 

sort of an excitement, seated herself on a stool 

— s 

squarely in front of Mr. Rowley that she might 
lose nothing, and Mrs. Rowley, giving occasional 
dabs at stray flies with her apron, rocked un- 
easily in the large rocking-chair. Bennie came 
sidling in, his face smeared with jelly, and with 
a S|)oon clutched in one fat hand. 

^‘Now, Joseph, do go on,’’ urged his wife. 

I’m getting all wrought up !” 

Mr. Rowley took a letter from his inside 
pocket. 

I may as well read it to you. You will 
know all I know.” 

Then in slow, distinct tones, he read : 

Me. Joseph Rowley, 

‘'Dear Sir: — For a year Mr. John Row- 
ley has been hoarding with us. He has been 
sick two months and over, and is, at present, 
very ill. He asked me to write to you when 


A TELEGRAM 


273 


he has gone, but he talks so about you and his 
folks and home, when he is out of his head, that 
I thought I would take the responsibility of 
letting you know while he is yet living. The 
doctor has given him up, but you could, in all 
probability, reach here before his death if you 
are so inclined. Respectfully, 

‘'John G. Hart.'' 

A low breath of astonishment went around 
the circle. 

“ Where is he ?" asked Lonnie, as usual, the 
first one to speak. 

“ That's so, where is he ?" echoed Mrs. Row- 
ley. 

“ Kansas City, Missouri." 

“ Oh, Joe ; you' d never go way out there !" 
said his wife. 

“Oh, father, take me, do !" put in Frank. 

But Mr. Rowley could not as yet adjust him- 
self to the present. He had gone back to his 
boyhood since the letter came. His little 
brother, John, who for a time followed him 
18 


274 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


like a shadow, caught bait for him, cleaned his 
gun, did chores, fagged for him generally. 
The laughing one of the family, of a more 
slender build, of a more mobile expression, the 
active, restless one. Not much of a Rowley,^' 
as the boys’ father used to say. Farm work did 
not suit him. Then he seemed about to settle 
down, and they all thought he would marry 
Jane Harding, and his father gave him his 
share,” which he was supposed to be about to 
put into a small piece of land and a house. 
Then he went away very suddenly with not 
much leave-taking, and though he wrote twice 
to his father soon after going, when his father 
died, a year later, a short letter to Joe had been 
the last heard from him. For nearly sixteen 
years they had heard nothing of him. 

How can you go. Uncle Joe ?” said Lonnie. 

“You were telling yesterday you were so 
pushed to get the farm work along right, so as 
to do well with it, that you Avere clean daft.” 

Mr. Rowley had not thought of that yet. Go 
he must, and go he should, and go he would. 


A TELEGRAM 


275 


and go at once into the bargain ; but he thought 
despairingly of his farm. 

'' Frank and I could take care of everything 
and see to everything just exactly the way you 
tell us, Uncle Joe,’’ said Ted, thoughtfully. 

Frank hastily swallowed his wild wish to ac- 
company his fatlier, and sturdily repeated Ted’s 
remark. 

Well, a man never had better boys than 
you two,” said Mr. Fowley in a comforted tone 
as he turned toward the boys. His eyes rested 
with fatherly pride on Frank, a Rowley every 
inch of him — very large for his age, deep- 
chested and heavily built boy though he was, 
with the square jaw and steady eyes of one to 
be absolutely relied upon. 

Ted had grown tall, but he was light and 
slender and with a gravity and quietness of de- 
meanor that made him seem older than the little 
fellow he was. 

We can do it — don’t you fear !” 

Oh, Joe !” moaned Mrs. Rowley, must 
you go ? I suppose you must !” 


276 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Lonnie had been rapidly taking in the whole 
situation ; action was particularly in her line. 

If he’s dying,” she said practically, “ you’ll 
have to hurry.” 

Traveling seemed to all of them so momentous 
that they had not really considered the proba- 
bility of his departure at any very near moment. 
A week or so seemed little enough time to take 
for the consideration of such a step. 

You ought to go to-night. Uncle Joe,” per- 
sisted Lonnie. 

‘^Lonnie!” exclaimed the scandalized Mrs. 
Rowley. 

What’s the use of his going at all if he 
don’t go quick !” retorted Lonnie. 

To really see a point meant decision for Mr. 
Rowley. He rose without a word, looked at 
his watch and walked into the bed-room. 

Mrs. Rowley began to weej). 

Sh ! Aunt Letty,” put in Lonnie, more and 
more entering into the scene. You better go 
this minute and see what he’s doing. He won’t 
get any handkerchiefs, nor neckties, nor socks. 


A TELEGEAM 277 

nor nothing, if you don’t hurry ; and he’ll want 
a heap of lunch. You best hurry !” 

The word lunch and the thought of the clean 
handkerchiefs proved to be sufficiently invig- 
orating. Mrs. Rowley bustled after her hus- 
band, while Lonnie turned to the boys. ‘‘My! 
don’t you wish we could go to the train ?” 

“ We can,” said Frank. “You can’t.” 

“I can, too, if you’re going,” pouted Lonnie. 

“ We have to go to bring back the team.” 

“ Uncle Joe’ll let me go, you see ! See 
here,” brightening, “ he’ll be gone soon, and 
you won’t know what to do about that trade, 
nor about the buckwheat, nor about that hog 
sale, nor about those heifers. You ought to find 
out before he goes I” 

“ That’s so, Lonnie,” said Ted. “ I say, Frank, 
she better ride in with us, and then we can all 
three think what to ask about.” 

Mr. Rowley had made up his mind to take 
the six o’clock train in to Boston and be ready 
for a midnight train out. 

His few preparations were rapidly made. 


278 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


While his wife was fixing the indispensable 
lunch he called Frank into the bed-room and 
shut the door. 

“ Frank, my boy,” he said, solemnly placing 
his hands on the boy’s shoulders, while Frank 
looked at him with little creeping chills going 
up and down his back, if anything should 
happen to me, remember you are a Fowley. 
Remember you are to stand by the place and 
your mother and Bennie. Remember Bennie is 
your particular charge. Remember I promised 
Lonnie a home here. And let Ted stay till he 
can make his own way, if he is worthy of it. Oh, 
Frank, my boy !” and he hastily left the room, 
while Frank tried to master an unruly lump in 
his throat. 

The boys harnessed ; Lonnie arrayed herself 
to go and kept well out of the way until it was 
time to start. She knew Mrs. Rowley would 
protest, and she hoped the leave-taking would 
prevent anything very decided being said. The 
boys abetted her, and it was not until Mr. Row- 
ley had over and over again said good-by to his 


A TELEGKAM 


279 


wife and Bennie that Lonnie’s presence in the 
wagon was realized. The boys whipped up in 
a lively way and off they went. 

A fire of questions as to this and that occu- 
pied the drive, and at the station they still had 
some time to wait. Mr. Bowley talked with his 
friend,' the ticket agent, about his trip and ways 
and means. Lonnie never missed a word of it, 
and by the time the train came every detail 
made clear by the painstaking agent was plain 
in her mind. 

Here she comes, father !” cried Frank, as 
the train came around the curve. Here’s your 
bag !” 

Here’s your lunch-box. Uncle Joe,” put in 
Ted. 

‘‘And here’s your umbrella. I just know 
you’ll forget that umbrella before you get 
there !” 

“ Dear me, Lonnie,” sighed Mr. Bowley, “ I’m 
thinking I will ! I wish you were going with 
me, just to take care of that one thing.” 

A flash of sudden desire lit up Lonnie’s face. 


280 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Oh, couldn’t she go, she thought ; half a 
dozen rapid plans darted through her head, 
plans of jumping on at the last moment and 
showing herself to Mr. Rowley when it should 
be too late to return her. 

But nothing, she was forced to acknowledge, 
seemed to be feasible, and with a mighty sigh 
she merely said : 

If you don’t get back pretty quick. Uncle 
Joe, I’m going to go after you !” 

I’ll warrant you’re equal to it !” he said, 
kindly. 

Good-by, Ted ! Good-by, Lonnie. Keep uj) 
Aunt Letty’s courage and don’t let her worry ! 
Frank — Frank — Frank, my boy, remember 
you’re the man of the house ; and remember, 
Frank, you’re a Rowley.” 

The train had stopped — a very ordinary city 
train^ such as Mr. Rowley had traveled to Bos- 
ton on all his life; such as Frank and Ted and 
Lonnie had always been used to seeing there or 
at the Boston stations — but how different it 
looked. The people, the conductor, the brake- 


A TELEGRAM 


281 


men, even the familiar baggage-master on the 
platform, seemed enveloped in a mysterious, sug- 
gestive atmosphere. 

\ More good-bys, then Mr. Rowley disappeared 
inside the car to appear again at an open win- 
dow on the station side, while the children ran 
along to the end of the platform, waving their 
hands and shouting unintelligible advice. 

‘‘ Well, he’s gone!” said Frank, breathlessly, 
when they stopped, gone I and it’s all been so 
sudden I don’t know how to believe it !” 

Ted shrugged his shoulders. He was much 
more used to sudden changes and general family 
upheavals than Frank could even imagine. Since 
his mother’s death in the hospital, not long after 
she was taken there, he had known comparative 
quiet. He had loved his mother, for she had 
always seemed to feel that he was of peculiar 
clay, and had always made things as easy 
for him as was possible . under the circum- 
stances. But shocked as he was by her accident 
and death, the being free from the noise and 
turmoil of their usual domestic existence had 


282 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


been a daily, unspeakable relief to him. And 
to be there in the country with Frank and Mr. 
Rowley and Mrs. Rowley and Bennie and Lon- 
nie, going to school, looking and acting like 
other boys, enjoying to the utmost the quiet and 
cordiality and good feeling of the farm-house 
and all the full round of country doings, was 
almost ideal happiness to him. He was fond of 
Lonnie, very fond of her, but he always had a 
shamed feeling that she could, and would if she 
felt like it, tell things, troublesome things, about 
their past life in Boston. Lonnie never seemed 
to have any sense of shame, and then, too, his 
mother was not her mother. He sometimes 
thought if only Lonnie didn’t live there, so that 
he never would have to be worrying about what 
she might say or do, he would be perfectly 
happy ; still, he felt sure that if it had not been 
for Lonnie he never would have been there, and 
strove to be reconciled accordingly. 

I dare say Aunt Letty’s crying her eyes 
out, and cooking supper for us all into the bar- 
gain.” 


A TELEGRAM 


283 


That’s so. We better go straight home 
this minute.” 

And unhitching the road wagon they 
scrambled into the seat and went clattering 
down the road home. 

At the house things were very much as Lon- 
nie had stated. Mrs. Rowley was getting sup- 
per and sitting down between whiles for a weep. 
Bennie had become excessively disgusted with 
the lonesomeness of the house and greeted Lon- 
nie with enthusiasm. 

Oh, Lonnie !” cried Mrs. Rowley. Did 
he go ?” 

Yes, of course he went, and a lot of good 
luck he had, too, and I expect he’s sitting this 
minute in the car eating a bite and thinking 
what a good cook you are, and planning how 
he’ll hurry home. My, what good muffins! 
You never made such good muffins as that, did 
you ? Come, Bennie, let’s feed kitty, nice kitty !” 

Are the boys coming ?” 

‘‘Yes, right away. Say, Aunt Letty, can’t 
we plan some sort of a surprise for Uncle Joe 


284 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


when he comes back? Boys/’ as they came in, 
can’t we think of something nice for Uncle 
Joe when he comes back ?” 

guess he’ll think it’s nice enough if we 
haven’t run the farm into a sand bank,” said 
Frank, loftily. 

Of course, the farm’s going to be all right ; 
don’t go and be babies ! But can’t we think of 
something astonishing — something new about 
the yard or house or buildings, or something ?” 

How long will we have ?” asked Ted, seat- 
ing himself at the table and giving an affection- 
ate pat to Bennie to keep him from going to 
sleep. 

“ Oh, dear !” groaned Mrs. Rowley, how 
long will he be gone ?” 

“ He’ll be three days going and three coming 
back — one week, sure ; and if his brother don’t 
hurry about dying he will be there a good while.” 

Oh, child, he would bring him home if he 
wasn’t in a dying condition.” 

‘'My! Why, then, he wouldn’t be there 
more than a week or two. Well, we would 


A TELEGRAM 


285 


have two or three weeks, and if we planned 
right off, quick, we might do a lot/’ 

“ I’ll tell you,” said Ted ; there’s been a sight 
of things sort of waiting around and we could 
get those done up. There’s the chicken-houses 
to fix, and some of the fencing, and a lot of 
whitewashing Uncle Joe planned we should do ; 
and there’s a lot of that paint we might use up.” 

‘‘ I just wish you’d paint the kitchen fioor, 
if you’re going to j)aint,” said Mrs. Rowley. 

All right !” came in a sudden chorus from 
all three, and then they all laughed. 

‘‘We can get a deal of preserving and canning 
done, Lonnie,” said Mrs. Rowley, cheerfully, 
“ and I calculate to make some headway with 
that sewing against he comes home.” 

“ I reckon we’ll think up so much to do we’ll 
be forgetting to water the stock or doing some 
such trick,” put in Frank. 

“You won’t, at any rate, Frank,” said his 
mother, proudly. “I know your father will 
feel pride in his son when he comes home — 
that he will.” 


CHAPTEE XX 


A RISKY PLAN 

Mr. Eowley’s first letter home was written 
on the journey, so that, glad as they were to hear 
from him, they were not much wiser than 
before. His next letter came from Kansas City, 
and was so brief and written in so hurried a 
manner that they had only gathered that he 
had found his brother John very ill and not 
likely to live. Next came a card merely stat- 
ing the time of John’s death ; then a letter 
written immediately after the funeral, stating 
that John had desired him to personally fulfill 
a commission in Indianapolis which might take 
him several days, and that he would write at 
once upon arriving there. Consequently, they 
were confidently expecting a letter in two days, 
but none came. No letter the next day, nor 
the next. No one in the house could think or 
speak of anything else. 

286 


A RISKY PLAN 


287 


‘‘ Perhaps he got through his business right 
off and started home, and he’ll be here without 
writing,” suggested Lonnie ; but it brought only 
a momentary gleam of hope to Mrs. Powley. 
Her depression was so great that she could 
not seem to look at matters at all as she 
ordinarily would have done, and Lonnie and 
the boys soon became aware of what was to 
them a very terrible phase of her depression. 
Her mind was persistently running on the 
strange disaj^pearance of John Powley so long 
before, when all efforts by letter had failed 
to place him ; and she was so overwhelmed 
by that one view of the case that she dreaded 
to let it be known. Always ready to respond 
readily to any friendly inquiries, now she 
could not bear to suggest that she did not know 
where Mr. Powley was, or had not heard 
from him. 

Frank went to the post-office, hope rising 
again to the highest pitch, to receive the same 
old answer, “ Nothing to-day,” and walked out 
slowly, dreading to go home. 


288 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


How are you, F rank ? Father coming home 
soon ? When do you expect him 

Frank shook hands mechanically with the 
minister ; then he took a sudden resolution to 
ask for advice. 

“We don’t know where father is, Mr. 
Dawson. He told us he was going to 
Indianapolis and would write at once. The 
letter ought to have come, at the latest, three 
days ago, and we haven’t heard anything 
yet.” 

“ Is it possible ! Where was he to stay in 
Indianapolis ?” 

“We don’t know.” 

“ Where was he staying in Kansas City ?” 

Frank told him. 

“ Well, my boy, come down to the office and 
we will telegraph at once to see where he was 
going — or whatever else they know.” 

Frank’s face brightened up wonderfully. 
After all, what a thing it was to be a minister 
and know just what to do ! 

“ Now, Frank, it’s late ; you go on home and 


A itlSKY PLAN 


289 


drive in to-morrow morning and come to my 
house/’ 

It was a relief to have done something, and 
Frant drove in so cheerfully that Ted, who 
was whitewashing the chicken-houses, felt sure 
a letter had come at last. 

Letter ?” 

“ No ; hut I telegraphed to Kansas City.” 

The dickens you did ! Who put that into 
your head ?” 

‘‘ Mr. Dawson. Come on, let’s go tell 
mother.” 

Mrs. Kowley seemed cheered for a few mo- 
ments at the thought of such a move, and then 
relapsed into gloom. 

Lonnie for two days had had her mind made 
up as to what she meant to do, but just how to 
do it she had not been able to decide. This news 
hurried her up. She was afraid events might 
take a turn that would effectually forestall her. 
She had been gradually prei^aring her way with 
Mrs. Kowley, taking good care that the boys 
should not hear her, and now she thought the 
19 


290 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


time had come for the final stroke. When the 
boys went out to finish up the chores she began 
in a lugubrious tone : 

‘‘Mark my words, the telegram to-morrow 
won't tell a thing !" 

“ Oh, I suppose not !" groaned Mrs. Eowley. 

“ I just know he went to Indianapolis the 
way he said, and I just know he got run over 
by a wagon or something, the way Ole Olson 
did in our court, and can't talk and don't know 
where he is, and is just suffering lots !" 

“Oh, Lonnie!" groaned Mrs. E-owley, pick- 
ing up Bennie and rocking gloomily to and fro. 

“And I say it isn't right for us that care 
about him to let it drag along this way, just 
boys and anybody they've a mind to tell, say- 
ing do that and do this, and wasting time while 
he's dying, waiting for somebody to come I" 

“ Oh, Lonnie ! What'll I do ? I ought to 
go search, and I can't leave Frank nor Bennie, 
nor the place !" 

“Oh, mercy, no!" hastily rejoined Lonnie, 
horrified to see how she had overdone the mat- 


A RISKY PLAN 


291 


ter. S^poseii there wasn’t so very much the 
matter with him, what would he think of you 
leaving Frank and Bennie and the place ! and,” 
advancing her weightiest argument the neigh- 
bors would be saying you were afraid he’d run 
off like John Bowley !” 

‘‘ Oh ! oh ! oh !” groaned Mrs. Bowley. 

Her natural timidity, her dependence on 
others if away from her own threshold, her 
real dread of the West, her fear of engines and 
railroad officials, might all have been heroically 
set aside if need called ; but that last awful 
thought of the neighborhood thinking that she 
^ thought Joe Rowley would do as John Bowley 
did was something unbearable. 

That’s no plan at all !” hurried on Lonnie, 
‘‘and as for Frank, you’d never dare send 
Frank ! Suppose he would be killed. What 
would his father say !” 

“ No, no, never !” cried Mrs. Bowley. 

“ And Ted — Ted would never do. He would 
just sit watching the scenery and thinking, and 
wouldn’t know his own hat if he saw it.” 


292 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


But who is there to go sobbed Mrs. Bow- 

ley. 

Lonnie swiftly dropped down on one knee 
beside Mrs. Bowley, seized her hands from 
around Bennie and began kissing them. 

‘‘Oh, Aunt Letty,” she urged, rapidly, “let 
me go ! Send me ! Vll find him ! Vll never 
stop till I get him! I can do it! You know 
I can do it ! Everybody helps a little girl ; 
everybody would tell me. Oh, I can do it ! Do 
let me go !’ • 

“Why, you’re too little!” but there was a 
glow of hope in her eyes ; it was her nature to 
depend on somebody, and that Lonnie was a 
master hand at doing things she had long 
known. 

“ No, I’m not ! That will make it all the 
better. Just think, he may be knowing every- 
thing that goes on and not able to say a word, 
nor to lift a hand, like that woman Mrs. Gates 
told about, and wondering why some one don’t 
come ! Aunt Letty,” pulling her hand to secure 
extra attention, “ I’m going ! I’m going anyway ! 


A RISKY PLAN 


293 


I wouldn’t be so wicked as not to ; and I’m going 
to-morrow ; and when I find Uncle Joe he’ll say, 
‘Oh, Lonnie, I’m glad Aunt Letty let you 
come ;’ and I’ll say, ‘ She didn’t let me come. 
Uncle Joe;’ and he’ll say, ‘How did you do it, 
then ?’ and I’ll say, ‘ I had an awful hard time — 
without any money, nor no ticket, nor nothing, 
but I had to come to find you,’ and he’ll say, 
‘ Well, well ! I wish Letty ’d had the sense to 
help you, poor little thing.’ ” 

“How can I let you go, Lonnie?” was the 
despairing reply. “ What will the boys say ?” 

Lonnie was sure enough what the boys would 
say. 

“ The boys aren’t to know a word about it. 
Aunt Letty,” firmly, “ nor nobody. You don’t 
want to be shamed by talk. No, indeed. We’ll 
do this way : We’ll drive down town to-morrow 
in time for the nine o’clock, and get that tele- 
gram, and it will say ‘ don’t know ’ sure’s you’re 
born, and then you’ll tell the boys to go on 
home to mind the place, while you and I and 
Bennie go to Boston, and you tell ’em you’re 


294 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


going to talk to your brother Ben, and you can. 
And then, when we get in town, you’re to buy 
me a ticket to Indianapolis and write who I am 
on me, and where I live, and where I’m going ; 
that’s what they did when they sent Bessie out to 
somewhere — and a bad lot she was, too. I pity 
the woman that got her — and I’ll go on the 
twelve o’clock train. I know all about it, and 
when I get there I’ll find him, and I’ll bring 
him back ! Now, you must ! I’m going, any- 
way, and this is the best way, and Uncle Joe will 
be glad you did it, and nobody need know it at 
all — not at all !” 

‘‘ Maybe, maybe,” said Mrs. Rowley, bewil- 
dered beyond the j)oint of resistance. And Lon- 
nie was sure that things would go lier own way 
now, if she could only keep Mrs. Rowley quiet 
before the boys. 

After supper Mrs. Rowley’s gloom began to 
settle down on her again. She passed a sleep- 
less night, and the longing to do something be- 
came so strong that the very thought of sending 
Lonnie was a relief. After all, why not ? Lon- 


A KISKY PLAN 


295 


nie could if any one could. She would send 
her ; she would think no more about it ; just send 
her. Having settled that she fell asleep and 
woke somewhat refreshed, and still of the same 
mind. She packed a small bag of things for 
Lonnie and fitted out a basket of provisions, and 
told the boys that she was going up to talk to 
Mr. Cook. They were both heartily glad of it, 
as her unusual gloom had depressed them beyond 
measure, and they hoped she would return in a 
more comfortable frame of mind. 

As Lonnie predicted, the telegram Mr. Daw- 
son gave them merely said that Mr. Eowley’s ad- 
dress or business in Indianapolis were unknown. 
The boys went back to the farm thoroughly dis- 
heartened, and Mrs. Eowley, Lonnie, and Ben- 
nie went up to Boston. 

Mrs. Eowley managed to get Lonnie promi- 
nently labeled by acting strictly according to 
directions, but buy the ticket she could not. 
Lonnie performed that ceremony, and also man- 
aged to extract a little further information from 
the agent, who was rather brightened up by talk- 


296 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ing to the very pretty little girl. It turned out 
that the train started at eleven, greatly to 
Lonnie’s joy, for she dreaded lest some- 
thing should turn up at the last moment to 
interfere. 

Good-by, Bennie, dear ; Lonnie will bring 
papa to you, Lonnie will ! Good-by, Aunt 
Letty. Don’t you worry another minute. I’ll 
bring him home.” Then she showed her ticket, 
with a secret thrill of pleasure, at the gate and 
walked on in to where the train stood waiting. 
Oh, what joy, what unspeakable joy ! And a 
ticket, too ! 

After the train had pulled slowly out of the 
long station and Mrs. Bowley, still gazing 
through the iron gate, had fairly realized that 
the deed was done past recall, her temporary 
energy wholly vanished. What had she done ! 
What would people say when they knew she 
had let such a child start off on a trip without 
knowing where she was going ! What would 
Lonnie do when she reached Indianapolis ? It 
was the first time that thought had occurred to 


A RISKY PLAN 


297 


her. Her not very active imagination had 
pictured Lonnie in Indianapolis with Mr. Eow- 
ley, and had got no farther. Finally, her mind 
absolutely refused to act further, and in a hope- 
less fashion she adjourned to the Cooks. She was 
so averse to going over her troubles about Mr. 
Rowley and Lonnie that she felt no sense of dis- 
appointment when she found that Mrs. Cook had 
gone two days before to her mother’s, and that 
Mr. Cook would not be back in their quarters 
until his wife returned. The good-natured 
neighbor who gave the news, and who felt sorry 
for the crying Bennie, invited them to come 
into her room. 

If you’ll do so,” she said, with a slight air 
of injured pride. Mrs. Cook rather sets herself 
up above the rest of her neighbors, not but what 
she’s a good woman, too, and perhaps you won’t 
care to set a bit in my parlor.” But Mrs. Row- 
ley was desperately thankful to sit down peace- 
ably and try to make Bennie more comfortable 
and cool him off. She would have been glad 
not to talk, but Mrs. Brent bustled around, get- 


298 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ting a fan and a glass of water, and a gimcrack 
for Bennie, talking all the while. 

‘‘ How is Lonnie V’ 

Lonnie’s well,” answered Mrs. Rowley, with 
an effort. 

How is she behavin’ now ? I never saw a 
livelier child in my life than Lonnie !” 

She behaves as well as any child, only she’s 
smarter than most.” 

‘‘Yes, she is smart; but it all ran to mis- 
chief!” 

“ She can be right troublesome, but she does 
better now than when we first took her.” 

“ Well, it’s surprisin’ ! You must be a mighty 
clever family to put up with her. Now, she 
just raised hob at the Cooks’. By the way, it 
wasn’t very long ago one of the hospital doctors 
was here looking for her. He saw Mrs. Penny, 
and Mrs. Penny said she knew as how she went 
to that Home, and told him where it was, but 
she couldn’t tell him where she was now ; and he 
said that was enough, he could find out there. 
Very polite man he was. He said Mrs. Lakin 


A RISKY PLAN 


299 


had had him write down some things about 
Lonnie before she was took off, in case anybody 
she lived with was anxious to know anything 
about her.’’ 

Mrs. Kowley did not feel in the least anxious 
to know anything about Lonnie’s past, but a ray 
of light as to her immediate future would have 
roused her most intense interest. 

After Bennie was rested, Mrs'. Kowley started 
out again to take a train for home. 

She could not imagine what she would say to 
the boys, but she knew she would be obliged to 
say something. She dreaded having the train 
stop, and when the boys rushed forward to meet 
her with astonished exclamations of Where’s 
Lonnie !” she felt as though she must make 
them keep quiet or become a spectacle there in 
the station. 

I’ll tell you all about it on the road home. 
Frank, take Bennie, please ; he is so tired.” 

When they were just out of the town, Ted, 
who was driving, slacked up the horses and 
Frank began, '' Now, where is Lonnie ?” 


300 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


I don’t know what you will say, Frank. 
I don’t know what anybody would say ; but she 
has started to Indianapolis to hunt up your 
father.” 

My sakes alive !” gasped Frank. 

For Indianapolis !” exclaimed Ted. 

‘‘Yes; she started at eleven o’clock. I feel 
as though I had acted so crazy about it myself 
that I’ll be more upset about it than ever if you 
go to saying she’ll get lost or killed or *stolen. 
She said she was going anyway, and I felt sure 
she would — there’s no stopping Lonnie when 
she’s set — and I just felt as though your father 
would rather I would get her a ticket than have 
her go a-begging.” 

“ Well, if she said she would, she would,” 
put in Ted. He saw at once how things were ; 
how Lonnie must have worked on Mrs. Row- 
ley, and what a bitter shock Frank was now 
having because he had not been the one to go. 

“ I know just what you are thinking, Frank,” 
said Mrs. Rowley, plainly, more of her ordinary 
practical sense returning to her, now that her 


A RISKY PLAN 


301 


husband’s boy was concerned, than she had felt 
for days. ‘‘You think you should have gone. 
But it was simply impossible to even think of 
such a thing. If anything had happened to 
you, your father’s life and happiness would have 
been ruined, and I never should have held my 
head up again for allowing it. It is a crazy plan, 
anyway. And you would not have been will- 
ing to go yourself until other things had been 
tried, for your father left a trust to you, and 
you are not a boy to slight such a thing as 
that on a small excuse. You are a Kowley.” 

“She’s right, Frank,” said Ted, anxiously. 

“ Yes, mother; all right,” and Frank gulped 
back his disappointment the best way he could. 

“ Aunt Letty, Lonnie isn’t going to get lost, 
nor killed, nor stolen, nor hurt,” remarked Ted, 
authoritatively. You needn’t to worry the least 
mite. She’ll turn up here on the farm like 
any other bad cent ; and she’ll get along fine. 
Don’t you worry; she’s sharp as a steel trap!” 


CHAPTEE XXI 


IN INDIANAPOLIS 

None of the adventures that Lonnie had 
been secretly hoping would overtake her on 
the trip presented themselves. With every 
new conductor willing to keep an eye on her, 
and with each change of cars made under the 
protection of brakeman or conductor, with very 
respectable fellow-travelers, all ready to speak 
kindly to her, and generally anxious to bestow 
plenty of good advice and sometimes more ma- 
terial benefits in the way of sandwiches and 
cookies, she could not go far astray. Lonnie 
did not tell any one she was going to look for 
her uncle ; she invariably said she was going to 
her uncle. She was very reticent about .her 
past, so far as facts were concerned, and gener- 
ally managed to talk very voluminously with- 
out conveying any information. She actually 
302 


m INDIANAPOLIS 


303 


tried not to romance to any great extent, and 
was for the most part very proud of her avoid- 
ance of falsehoods. 

‘‘ What is your uncle’s name ?” asked one old 
lady, who looked to Lonnie as though she was 
capable of unpleasantly interfering in other 
people’s affairs. 

“ Mr. Joseph Rowley.” 

“ What is his business ?” 

‘‘ He is a farmer.” 

Oh, he doesn’t live in Indianapolis ?” 

No’m.” 

How far out does he live ?” 

Quite a ways.” 

Has he a family ?” 

‘‘ Yes’m. Frank and Ted and Bennie.’ 

“It would be better to say Franklin and 
Theodore and Benjamin.” 

“Oh!—” 

“ How did you happen to be traveling alone ?” 

“ I’m not traveling alone.” 

“ Why, I thought you were I Who is with 
you?” 


304 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘Oh, more’n one person, sure! I must go 
get a drink.’’ 

When questions became unpleasant she al- 
ways became thirsty. 

When she got far enougli on her journey, so 
that most of her fellow-passengers were also 
bound for Indianapolis, she became very quiet, 
and s|)ent her time working up again and again 
different plans of action. Now, that she was get- 
ting there, she must think of something to do 
first. She was so sure that if she showed un- 
certainty, or become troublesome in asking for 
advice, that she would be handed over to the 
police for safe keeping, that she was afraid to try 
to make any inquiries on the train. 

The last conductor of the trip came to her : 

“ Well, somebody going to meet you, I sup- 
pose I” 

“ I’ll go in the station if nobody’s at the car,” 
she answered. 

“ Yes, that’s right I that’s the way I” 

When the train stopped in the great station, 
and Lonnie got off with her little valise, the 


IN INDIANAPOLIS 


305 


conductor jumped her off the last step, and 
said : 

‘‘ See your folks ?” 

“ No — 0 — I don’t, right here — I’ll go in the 
ladies’ waiting-room.” 

“ That’s right — over there ; all right ! Good- 
by ! They’ll come soon !” 

Will they, though,” thought Lonnie, and 
she walked into the waiting-room very brave, 
but, withal, very uncertain. 

She sat down in order to appear at her ease, 
and to think. Four dollars and thirty-five cents 
was the extent of her capital. She had had five 
dollars, but had spent the balance on train-boy 
wares. 

‘‘ Anyway, four dollars and thirty-five cents is 
a lot,” she meditated. 

The waiting-room looked wonderfully hand- 
some to her, and the people, coming and going, 
interested her so much that she could not seem 
to plan. 

‘‘ Suppose I should see Uncle Joe walk right in 
that door!” and her heart began to beat painfully. 

20 


306 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


To divert herself she got up and began look- 
ing at the time-tables and advertisements. 

“It’s lucky I can make out to read,” she 
thought. “ I’ll just read ’em all for practice.” 

The very first one she looked at was in large, 
plain letters, which pleased her, and said “ Y. M. 
C. A.” There was a picture of a very handsome 
building, and the words said : “ All young men 
are cordially welcomed. Advice and assistance 
gladly offered,” and a great many more things 
that struck Lonnie most favorably. She re- 
ceived the impression that it was to some 
degree “pious,” and that made her feel quite 
safe. She carefully spelled out the address 
and impressed it on her mind; then, valise 
in hand, marched boldly out into the street 
to the first policeman. She had hardly told 
him where she wanted to go when he stopped 
a passing car, hustled her on, and said “ Y. 
M. C. A.” to the conductor ; and the next 
thing Lonnie knew she saw the building which 
she had seen depicted on the placard in the sta- 
tion. The conductor had motioned to her, and 


IN INDIANAPOLIS 


307 


apparently in no time at all she was inside the 
building. 

What do you want, little girl V said a man. 

“ I want to see the person who runs this con- 
cern,’’ she promptly replied. 

The man smiled and escorted her to the sec- 
retary. 

‘‘And what can we do for you, little girl ?” he 
said. 

“ Why, I saw down in the station an adver- 
tisement that said you gave advice free, and were 
glad to see folks, and I want some advice. I’ve 
got four dollars and thirty-five cents.” 

The secretary tried hard not to laugh. 

“ This place is for young men,” he said, “ not 
for little girls.” 

“I’m not young men, I know,” said Lonnie, 
determinedly, “ but I need the advice the worst 
you ever saw. You’re religious here, aren’t 
you?” 

“ Oh, yes,” he answered, thinking he should 
shout, and wondering if religious doubts were 
oppressing the small damsel. 


308 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


A gray-haired man had been standing there, 
previously engaged in conversation with the 
secretary; he put his hand on Lonnie^s shoulder, 
Come, little one, come Reeves, come and sit 
down ! Now, child, you tell us the whole story, 
and we will help you/' 

It's this way," said Lonnie, the long-pent-up 
story bursting forth. My uncle, Mr. Joseph 
Rowley — only he isn't really my uncle — got word 
that his brother, John Rowley, was dying in 
Kansas City, who hadn’t been heard from for 
years and years — John hadn't. So he started 
smack off and got there, and his brother died — 
and was buried " — impressively — for Uncle 
Joe wrote us ; then he wrote he’d got to go to 
Indianapolis and would write as soon as he'd got 
there, and that was the last we heard. We live 
on a farm near Boston. Aunt Letty was just 
going crazy, and I said I’d come look for him. 
The folks in Kansas City didn’t know where he 
was in Indianapolis. So I came, and I’m here. 
And I want advice to find Uncle Joe, and I 
want advice what hotel to board at with my 


m INDIANAPOLIS 


309 


four dollars and thirty-five cents while I look for 
him. I had five dollars, but I spent the rest for 
things. Now, what you got to say ? Have you 
seen Uncle Joe ?” 

Facial paralysis seemed to have afflicted both 
men at once. Here was a state of things, sure 
enough. It was difficult to know what to ask 
first. 

What sort of a man was your Uncle Joe ?” 
inquired the secretary. 

Lonnie detected suspicion in the tone. 

Oh, now, you needn’t be thinking Uncle Joe 
ran off like John Rowley ! Uncle Joe is a 
Rowley ; father and son, they were honest men. 
And Uncle Joe is the best man you ever saw 
— good as gold, and has the finest farm in Massa- 
chusetts. And he’s mighty religious, too. We 
have blessing at the table, and Sundays we have 
regular family j^rayers and singin’ to the organ, 
and all hands go to church. Fact ! Now, Uncle 
Joe’s all right! I say he’s got knocked down 
by a wagon or train, or something, or fell sick so 
as not to have sense, and I’ve come to find him.” 


310 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


The elder man saw his way clearly, now. 

‘‘We will help you, dear. There is also a 
Young Women’s Christian Association, and I 
will take you over there ; that is for little girls 
like you, I am sure, and they will take care of 
you there, and help you until you find your 
uncle, and I will see that we help in the 
search. I shall inquire at all the hospitals, and 
if he is, sick here in Indianapolis we will trace 
him soon, you may be sure.” 

Mr. Stewart did not feel the confidence he 
expressed, but he meant to spare no effort. 

“ Have you notified your aunt of your safe 
arrival ?” 

“ No, but I wrote a card on the train,” trust- 
ingly opening her bag and taking out a dirty 
postal card, saying, “ ‘ I am safe here. I will 
find Uncle Joe to-morrow. Lonnie.’ Now, if 
I knew where to mail that !” 

Mr. Keeves laid it on a package of mail. 
“ That is going down to the box in a few min- 
utes.” 

“Come, Lonnie,” said Mr. Stewart, taking 


IN INDIANAPOLIS 


311 


her bag, “I’ll show you the way over now. 
Good-by, Reeves. I’ll be back to plan a cam- 
paign/’ 

When Mr. Stewart escorted Lonnie into the 
building belonging to the Young Women's 
Christian Association and introduced her to the 
secretary, Lonnie began to feel tolerably sure 
of good advice. 

Mr. Stewart endeavored to explain the situa- 
tion as simply as might be, as several young 
women were standing or sitting near by, as 
though somewhat anxiously awaiting an inter- 
view. One of them, the most poorly dressed 
one among them, listened very intently, so much 
so that Lonnie could not help noticing her. 

‘‘We will keep her, Mr. Stewart," said the 
pretty secretary ; “ just sit down there, dearie," 
to Lonnie, “ and I will take care of you in a 
few minutes." 

Lonnie sat down by the poor-looking girl, 
sure that the girl wanted to speak to her. 

“ Are you looking for your uncle, too ?" asked 
Lonnie, cheerfully. 


312 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


'' No/’ said the girl, in a whisper, '' but I 
believe I know the very man you mean.” 

“ Oh, my !” ejaculated Lonnie. 

Sh-h ! Don’t make a noise. I don’t want 
to get into any scrape, if it isn’t the man. Has 
he got a full, dark beard, sort of a short beard, 
and dark hair, and is he a very heavy, square 
built, thick-set man ?” 

^‘Yes! yes!” 

And is there anybody named Hetty ?” 

Letty.” 

‘‘Yes, Letty, that was it. I guess he’s the 
man !” 

“ Oh, where ?” and Lonnie grasped the girl’s 
hands and tried to pull her off her seat. 

“Sh-h — now. You’ll have to be quiet if 
you want to get any more out of me. I just 
left that place. I couldn’t stand it no longer ; 
it’s a boarding-house, and the meanest people I 
ever saw in my life ; and terrible bad doings, 
too, I can tell you, when it comes to money- 
stealing and such.” 

“Oh, where?” 


IN INDIANAPOLIS 


313 


Sh-h— now. 131 tell you all about it. It's 
over a week ago now, Plunkett — he’s a man kind 
o’ belongs to the boarding-house — came driving 
up in a cab, and when lie gets the house-door 
open — I was there with the missus — he says, 
winkin’, ^ Here’s a new boarder, and a sick one, 
too. We’ll have to charge him mighty high ; 
and he’s got the tin, too !’ says he; and I took 
the traps, and the cabby and Plunkett kind o’ 
lifted and pulled the man out, and he seemed 
mighty poorly, and they got him up to the worst 
room in the house, and they put him on the bed, 
and he was groanin’ and lookin’ mighty sick, 
and only cornin’ to onct in a while. They 
didn’t do much for him, but the missus told me 
to take off his shoes, and I done all I could. 
I was so sorry for him, a nice-looking man, 
in that hole. Well, he had a fever, and the mis- 
sus said it was typhoid, and Plunkett said it was 
malarial fever, and they all said it was somethin’ 
different, and they didn’t have no doctor — ” 
Lonnie’s face was white and red by turns, and 
her eyes were staring strangely at the girl. 


314 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


** And the missus she first takes every paper 
and book and everything he had, and chucks it 
in the stove down-stairs, only his pocket-book, 
and then she looked him over for more money, 
and took a bag of money tied around his neck 
under his shirt; and she counted it sos’t I 
heard, and she wasn’t careful, for she’d been 
drinking, and she said ‘ over two hundred ;’ 
and then she told Plunkett there wasn’t nothing 
on him only thirty dollars, and he carried on 
awful and knew she’d cheated, but he was afraid 
of her, and it’s been dreadful ever since ; and 
most all the time the man’s been out of his head, 
and only just ’tended to what I could do, and 
me drove to death beside. I couldn’t stand it, 
and I come here to see where I could go to, but 
I wasn’t goin’ to say nothin’ about the man, 
for I was afraid they’d kill me wherever I was. 
But I can’t help it. He’ll die sure, and he 
seems like a terrible strong man, too.” 

Lonnie gave one scream, and, still clutching 
the girl’s dress, she reached for the secretary. 

Oh, come ! hurry quick ! He’s dying ! She 


IN INDIANAPOLIS 


315 


knows ! don’t wait ! Come — where’s Mr. Stew- 
art ? Don’t let her get away ! Oh, hold her 
Child, child, what is the matter?” 

It’s Uncle Joe; hurry, I say! I’ve found 
him ! Hurry, hurry, hurry ! Oh, where’s Mr. 
Stewart ?” 

The secretary saw something prompt must 
he done for Lonnie, and, quickly telling a helper 
to take her place, she picked up her hat, and, 
telling the two girls to follow, started to see if 
Mr. Stewart had left the building. He had, but 
they at once followed him to the Y. M. C. A., 
and found him with Mr. Reeves. 

‘‘We seem to need your help, gentlemen,” 
said she, promptly, “and if you can just un- 
ravel this it may turn out to be very much to 
the point.” 

The girl told her story again, very clearly, 
giving the address, and then went off under the 
secretary’s protection, while Mr. Stewart, Mr. 
Reeves, and Lonnie, drove rapidly to the Chief 
of Police, got an officer and an ambulance, for 
it was evident that if the girl’s story was true. 


316 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


somebody was in need of help, whether it should 
prove to be Lonnie’s uncle or not. 

They drove to the door and rang, and though 
when the door was opened some one immediately 
tried to slam it shut, they pushed in and Mr. 
Stewart and Lonnie,- without waiting for any 
explanation, pushed on at once to the room de- 
scribed by the girl. The policeman, who had 
had business in that house before, and was 
already in need of one of the inmates, and the 
woman herself, stayed below to converse, while 
Mr. Eeeves played the part of audience. 

When Lonnie opened the door, for she had 
darted ahead of Mr. Stewart, she gave a low 
cry and knelt down by the side of the bed. 
'' Oh, Uncle Joe !” she sobbed, oh, Uncle Joe 
White faced, with ragged hair and beard, his 
thin pallid hands restlessly fumbling his shirt 
sleeves, his preternaturally dark eyes sunken 
and roving, surely not one in ten could have 
recognized Joseph Kowley. At the sound of 
Lonnie’s voice the hands ceased their motion, 
the dark eyes turned toward the bedside. 



“OH. UNCLE JOE!” 
(Page 316) 




IN INDIANAPOLIS 317 

Lonnie The voice sounded faint and far 
away, but inexpressibly gentle. 

'‘Oh, Uncle Joe,'' half whispered Lonnie, 
" I've come ! You're going home. Uncle Joe, to 
the farm and Aunt Letty and Frank and Ben- 
nie and — and — the cows. Uncle Joe — and the 
sweet smells, Uncle Joe." She smoothed his 
face with her' soft little hand and petted him. 
Like a flash it had gone over her how frightful 
this must be to Mr. Bowley, a clean, wholesome 
man, all his life long used to clean, careful, 
ways, and this — this house ; the filthy bed, 
the close, foul air. Lonnie knew it all so 
well ; it was not new to her. The house had 
seemed familiar the moment she entered it, 
worse perhaps — no, not worse. 

Mr. Reeves came to the door. " The ambu- 
lance is here," he said, softly, his cheeks paling 
slightly at the sight of the man's condition. 
" Can you help me, Mr. Stewart ?" 

“ Indeed I can." 

They hastily did what they could about his 
clothing, and when the ambulance men came 


318 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


up they all carried him down. The very breath 
of street air seemed to revive him slightly, and 
he murmured ‘‘ Lonnie.’’ 

Here I am, Uncle Joe,” said Lonnie. She 
had stopped a moment by the policeman. 

We want Uncle Joe’s two hundred dollars — 
now — remember — two hundred dollars.” 

“ Yes, all right, ma’am,” said the policeman, 
with a grin at the curly-haired little maid. 

To the hospital they went, and Lonnie was 
forced to wait restlessly in the visitors’ room 
until the nurses had bathed Mr. Kowley and 
placed him in a snowy cot in one of the wards. 
Mr. Stewart waited for her. The jihysician in 
charge was opposed at first to Lonnie’s remain- 
ing to see the patient, but he felt obliged to 
yield to her pleading eyes and voice. 

Oh, I must see him clean and comfortable,” 
she begged. I must. I must telegraph Aunt 
Letty. I’ll dream about him all night, that 
dreadful way I saw him.” So after what 
seemed to Lonnie an interminable length of 
time a nurse led her into the ward and she tip- 


IN INDIANAPOLIS 


319 


toed softly to the bed. There lay Uncle Joe, 
thill and pale to be sure, and looking more 
ghostlike because he was sleeping, but with neat 
hair, and beard trimmed, and with clean clothes, 
and there seemed to be a peaceful expression 
withal on the worn face. 

‘‘Poor Uncle Joe,’’ said Lonnie, softly, and 
just barely touching the thin hands with her 
lips, she was ready quietly to go out with the 
nurse. 

“ A very fine little girl,” said the physician to 
Mr. Stewart so that Lonnie heard him. “ Good 
stuff; remarkable!” 

“ Guess I’ll have to live with a doctor,” 
thought Lonnie ; “ they appreciate me.” 

Mr. Stewart proposed that Lonnie should tel- 
egraph home, and she eagerly acquiesced. 

“ Yes, and please let me do it ! Frank won’t 
think he’s the only big one in the family then. 
I want to do it myself.” 

“ What is it you want to do ?” asked Mr. 
Stewart, smiling. 

“ Why^ telegraph !” 


320 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


“ How would you do it 2 ” 

Why, I don’t know ! How do you do it ? I 
want it to read ‘ Lonnie ’at the end of it — not 
‘ Mr. Stewart.’ ” 

Oh, is that all ! All right, my dear. But 
you are not to use more than ten words.” 

Oh, no, of course not ; ten words is a plenty. 
I wouldn’t want to write any more than that.” 

“ Let me see if you can do it.” 

And she did it. And the next morning 
Frank went dashing home from the village on 
horseback, bearing a telegram to his mother 
which read : 

“ I found Uncle Joe. He is sick. Coming 
home soon. Lonnie.” 


CHAPTER XXII 


HOME AGAIN 

Mr. Rowley began to improve immediately 
upon his removal to the hospital. The physi- 
cian said he must not only have been a very 
strong man, but one who had led a very health- 
ful, regular life. 

When Lonnie was first allowed to talk to him 
his eyes shone with gladness. 

I dreamed you were here, Lonnie,’’ he said, 
brokenly, “ and then they told me. How did 
it happen ?” 

And Lonnie told him in a bright, cheerful 
way how it happened, and before the nurse 
made her bid him good-by he was in possession 
of the main facts. 

“ I should have died in that hole if it hadn’t 
been for Lonnie,” he thought when she had 
gone. “ There never was her equal for pluck 
21 321 


322 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


and smartness ! She just seems inspired to do 
the right thing at the right minute, and never 
to flinch until she has put it through/^ 

The next day Mr. Rowley was allowed to 
talk more, and he told Lonnie how he happened 
to be in such a plight. 

‘‘You see, Lonnie, it was this way,’’ he said. 
“ I found brother John very low and he seemed 
to be dying of typhoid malaria, and just a general 
giving out. As soon as he knew me he seemed 
sort of crazy like to have me right by him, and 
I never left him, day nor night, until he died ; 
and I didn’t get any rest except snoozing a little 
in the chair. Then came the funeral and all, 
and a winding up of John’s business, and he’d 
quite a bit of j)Toperty tucked away one way 
and another ; and the cooking at that house 
nearly laid me out. I couldn’t stomach it. 
There’s no cook in the world like your Aunt 
Letty, Lonnie !” 

“ ’Deed no !” assented Lonnie, zealously. 

“ And what with hot biscuit, and boiled cof- 
fee, and greasy potatoes, and raw bacon, I was 


HOME AGAIN 


323 


feeling dreadful down ; and the day I left Kan- 
sas City I was so dizzy I couldn’t see. I 
couldn’t scarcely sit up to save me. The con- 
ductor helped me off here in this town, and 
mighty glad he was to get me off his hands. A 
man steps up to me quick like and says, ^Any 
one to meet you ?’ and I shook my head, too 
gone to speak ; and he says, * Don’t live here ?’ 
and I shook my head, and he says, ‘ Friends ?’ 
and I shook my head, and he says, ‘You’re 
sick. I’ll get a carriage and take you to a nice, 
comfortable home boarding-house, where you’ll 
be well taken care of,’ and I was mighty thank- 
ful to him, for I didn’t feel able to hold my 
head up another minute, and the station and 
trains and people were all spinning around and 
around me. I knew he got me in a cab and 
got me to a house and hustled me into the worst 
hole of a room and the vilest bed I ever 
dreamed of; and I was too sick to move. If it 
hadn’t been for a girl they had there, that I 
could just half see when I was a mite easier, 
cleaning me up a trifle, and giving me a bit of 


324 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


air, and fetching me a drink after I had thought 
I was a corpse a dozen times over, I surely should 
have died. Then I don^t know what did happen ; 
just seems hazy misery, only I know positive 
there couldn’t be any worse feelings. Then this 
nice, clean place — and all through you, Lonnie. 
Heaven knows I’m thankful ! And oh, how 
my heart did cry out to Letty and the children ! 
If I can only get back there !” 

‘‘ We’ll be going soon. Uncle Joe. You can 
sit up a bit to-morrow, and the doctor says 
you’ll get well just as fast as anybody could, 
and then we will go home. It was that girl 
that took care of you that told me about you. 
At the Y. W. C. A.,” hesitatingly, ‘‘ they say 
she could get a real nice place to work, about 
fifteen miles away from here, if she only had 
decent things to go with.” 

You don’t say ! Well, I’m thankful that I 
can hand over money for her to have them ! 
Who came with you here, Lonnie ?” 

“ The secretary. Miss Hasler, and she’s going 
to stop for me.” 


HOME AGAIN 


325 


Well, now, dear, you just see if she won’t 
come see me a minute. I want to talk to her !” 

So Lonnie asked the nurse, and when Miss 
Hasler came she made a short call on Mr. Row- 
ley, and went back to her temporary protege, 
the unfortunate and bereft little serving maid, 
able to rejoice her soul by a prospect of a good 
outfit of clothes and a new and safe “place.” 

“ Uncle Joe,” said Lonnie one day when Mr. 
Rowley was sufficiently recovered to walk a lit- 
tle, “ what did you come to Indianapolis for ?” 

“ Why, Lonnie, it’s sort of a sad story. You 
see, John Rowley thought Jane Harding had 
thrown him over, though I thought he was all 
wrong about it, and he went off mighty wrought 
up ; he traveled a good bit and saw things, and 
made quite a lot of money, and finally, a num- 
ber of years ago, he married. It was a poor 
business. The girl he married didn’t care 
much about him, and was really all taken up 
grieving for another man, who’d gone off and 
left her ; and John knew it, but he always was 
uncommon soft-hearted, and he thought he 


326 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


could help her and that she would grow to be 
satisfied with him. And she ought to have 
been,” angrily. ‘‘ The long and the short of it 
was that when their little girl was about a year 
old — they had a little girl — his wife ran off and 
took the little girl — he named her after our 
mother, Ruth — and left him. Then he was sick 
at heart. He tried to look around quiet like 
for her, but couldn’t find anything of her, and 
then he hoped she would come back to him. 
And everything looked dark to him. John 
Rowley had a way of getting hurt always. And 
he showed it; just a broken, hopeless man, and 
he younger than I ! Well, he had heard not a 
great while ago that his wife had an aunt, 
or some relation, living here in Indianapolis, 
and he had been thinking of coming to inquire 
to see if he could get any trace of the little girl. 
He had quite a bit of property for the little girl, 
if she’s ever found, and for my boys if she 
isn’t.” 

''But, Uncle Joe, we’ll be starting home in 
two days. Don’t you want a policeman, or some- 


HOME AGAIN 


827 


body that knows how, to talk with you, and see 
if that person is here yet V 

What a head you have got, Lonnie ! A sick 
man isn't fit to think of anything, I declare !” 

Inquiry, however, proved conclusively that 
the person in question had long since left In- 
dianapolis. 

The day came for their departure. Miss Has- 
ler and two or three others who had been mak- 
ing themselves responsible for Lonnie, and Mr. 
Stewart and Mr. Reeves, who had both con- 
ceived a warm regard for Mr. Rowley, all went 
down to the train to see the travelers off. Mr. 
Rowley looked like a man who had been at 
death's door, but he was rajDidly imj)roving and 
his eyes had regained their old expression. 

It was a hard journey, but whatever could be 
done for him people did. Lonnie won the 
approval and good-will of every one they trav- 
eled with for her devotion to her Uncle Joe." 
Mr. Rowley knew the conductor on the last 
section of the trip, and they greeted each other 
like old friends. 


328 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


What a nice little girl that is of yours/^ the 
conductor said to Mr. Kowley. Seems so re- 
liable.’’ 

‘‘ Eeliable ? Indeed, now, she is reliable !” 

Lonnie,” he said later, “ aren’t you getting 
to be uncommonly reliable ?” 

Lonnie smiled broadly. I knew you’d find 
out I was reliable some time.” 

When they reached Boston there were Mr. 
and Mrs. Cook and Bennie Cook to meet them, 
and see them safely on the home train, and then 
at home — at the station — the crowd of friends 
was so large that the excitement of it seemed 
likely to prove too much for Mr. Rowley, and 
Lonnie peremptorily decreed that they were to 
go home at once. 

Mrs. Rowley was openly weeping, Frank 
could scarcely control himself, and Ted was en- 
deavoring to confine his attentions to Lonnie 
and Bennie for fear of getting in the way. 
Crowds of people were there to see, and many 
an old neighbor wanted to shake hands. But 
home they went, and when Lonnie actually in- 


HOME AGAIN 


329 


sisted, and made a fuss until she gained her 
point, that Mr. Rowley was to go straight to 
bed and be nursed up again, Mrs. Rowley’s joy 
knew no bounds. Now she could fuss and put- 
ter and cook and coddle to her heart’s content. 
Sickness with uncertainty or danger about it 
unnerved Mrs. Rowley beyond recall ; but a 
nice, safe weariness, a good convalescence — it 
was bliss indeed ! 

Well, Letty, what a good wife you are !” 
Mr. Rowley murmured, whereupon Letty im- 
mediately sat down and wept most refreshingly. 

‘‘Oh, father,” whispered Frank, hesitatingly, 
“ I wish it had been me to get you !” 

“ Frank, my good boy, I know you do. But 
you’ve proved you are a Rowley, that you could 
keep your trust. I’ll never have any doubt of 
you, Frank. You’re the pride of your father’s 
heart!” 

“ Anyway, father,” said Frank, cheering up 
a little, “ I guess you’ll be surprised when you 
get out to-morrow and see things 1” 

And Mr. Rowley was surprised. He had al- 


330 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


ways taken pleasure in the appearance of his 
farm. His fences and his outbuildings, and his 
gates, and all the farm appurtenances had been 
kept strictly in good order. The house, too, 
had always been kept in good repair, but of 
late years there had not been much attempt at 
the beautiful. Mrs. Eowley had been brought 
up to think a great deal of flowers and was 
quite an expert with them ; but beyond a bed 
or so which she could manage herself, that she 
might preserve a windowful of plants for her 
comfort in winter, she had not undertaken 
much. The grass had always been cut with a 
scythe, and Mrs. Eowley had always had a 
grieved feeling about the appearance of the im- 
mediate house lot, as the places of one or two of 
her friends looked much better. She felt that 
if she should say much about it Mr. Eowley 
would be very glad to do anything she wanted, 
but until Lonnie’s coming they had all been 
living under a cloud. Mrs. Eowley felt that she 
had been a complete failure as far as Frank was 
concerned. Nothing she could do seemed to 


HOME AGAIN 


331 


please him, and Mr. Rowley was so depressed 
over Frank’s behavior and the lack of geniality 
in their home that she could not bear to men- 
tion anything that seemed like making herself 
more conspicuous or an added tax. 

She had been delighted with the boys’ deter- 
mination to whitewash and paint during Mr. 
Rowley’s absence, and had hoped, if their 
interest held out, as she thought it would, to 
get them to help her in reforming the appear- 
ance of the yard. Then came the period of 
anxiety, during which no thought of grass or 
plants entered her head, though the boys kept 
on at their self-appointed tasks in a dogged and 
perfunctory manner. When Lonnie’s telegram 
reached them the awful fear that held them all 
spell-bound was lifted, and the reaction was at 
once one of lightheartedness and activity. Mrs. 
Rowley confided to the boys her hopes of 
making their place look as well as the Wheel- 
er’s, and the competitive spirit took hold of 
them promptly. Mrs. Rowley used some of her 
treasured chicken-money, already sadly depleted 


332 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


by Lonnie’s ticket, on a lawn mower ; and the 
boys, scarcely taking time to eat, mowed and 
spaded and trimmed the walks, and though, as 
Mrs. Rowley regretfully assured them, it was 
not the time of year at all to do such work, a 
little judicious cutting and binding and digging 
up and setting out, and otherwise performing, 
made a most astonishing difference. 

Lonnie had taken in the changed appearance 
of the place as soon as she had a chance to run 
out and look at things, but she had been ur- 
gently requested to hold her peace and let Mr. 
Rowley see it for himself on the morrow. 

The neat looking walks, newly-painted gates, 
closely-cut grass, trimmed vines, and newly- 
painted porches and benches astonished Mr. 
Rowley as much as could have been desired. 
His eyes were enlightened also as to his wife’s 
wishes. He felt convicted ; for he had thought 
it strange that, splendid housekeeper as Letty 
was, she should care so little for the appearance 
of the yard. He had attributed it to her being 
so busy with the house and with Bennie. An 


HOME AGAIN 


333 


understanding of the real state of affairs came 
to him as he saw the warm glow of happiness 
in her eyes when he praised all that had been 
done. My good, good Letty !” he whispered, 
involuntarily. Then when he saw the sudden 
flushing of her face, he assured himself that he 
must always have been a brute, and that it was 
lucky he had been ill and must rest for a while, 
as it would give him time to plan a new start. 
But to his wife, Joseph Bowley was a name stand- 
ing for everything good and kind and helpful. 

“ Ted did all the chicken yards, father,’^ ex- 
plained Frank, as they looked down the slight 
slope to the gleaming white of the freshly 
whitewashed little buildings. ‘'Ted — die goo’ 
bo — ee,” solemnly asseverated Bennie. As it 
was his first remark containing more than one 
word, every one stared at him in admiring as- 
tonishment, while his mother proceeded to kiss 
and hug him nearly to extermination. 

“ I should think he was a good boy !” assented 
Mr. Eowley. “ Frank is the best boy in the world, 
and Ted is the best boy in the world, and Lonnie 


334 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


is the best boy — no, best girl — in the world, and 
Bennie is the best baby on record, and — and — 

‘‘ And you need to go and sit down,’^ laughed 
Lonnie,‘‘or you’ll be the best wreck in the world.” 

It appears like we’re all mighty well satis- 
fied with ourselves,” beamed Mrs. Bowley. 

Here, Lonnie, you see to Bennie while I go 
whip up an egg for your Uncle Joe.” 

The children all went off to the barn to see 
new sights and to hear more of Lonnie’s adven- 
tures, which lost nothing in the telling ; and 
Mrs. Bowley, having whipped the egg and 
mixed it in a way to tempt the most fastidious, 
sat down on the porch beside her husband to 
talk while he enjoyed it. 

So John Bowley was married after all, and 
left a little girl ! Do tell ! And you couldn’t get 
any trace of her ! Like enough she’s dead !” 

I’m loth to think that.” 

If it was only like Lonnie, now, you could 
probably find out. 

How’s that?” 

Then Mrs. Bowley detailed what Mrs. Brent 


HOME AGAIN 


335 


had said in regard to the physician who came 
looking for Lonnie. 

“Well, well !” said Mr. Rowley. “I'll have 
to look that up. Some time, perhaps, she'll be 
wanting to know about her parents." 

“ Less known the better, I'm thinking," in- 
credulously. 

“May be; but I'll have to see to it. I'm 
trying to plan what steps I'd best take to look 
for John's little Ruth. When I'm stronger 
perhaps I can think of something ; but I never 
was any hand to scheme. Lonnie, now, might 
hit on something right off." 

“ I was surprised to find how I missed Lon- 
nie," said Mrs. Rowley, speculatively. “ I 
rather thought it would rest me ; but after 
the first day it didn't; and I just built such 
hopes on her finding you. I hope you won't go 
to stirring up any mare's nest about Lonnie to 
take her off, now we're used to her." 

“No danger," laughed Mr. Rowley. “She 
seems regularly one of us now — getting real 
Rowley like.'* 


CHAPTER XXIII 


AN INVESTIGATION 

When Mr. Rowley was first able to go to 
Boston lie investigated the subject of the phy- 
sician and Lonnie. It took him a good while, 
but he managed it, and he ever after looked 
on that little piece of work as the finest evidence 
of keen insight and intellectual ability his life 
presented. 

He found the doctor. Doctor Albers, and also 
found that the man’s well-intentioned effort to 
find Lonnie’s whereabouts in Walnut Court 
had been his last. 

Really quite slipped my mind. Not that 
there was very much on the subject, anyway,” 
taking a note-book out of his pocket and 
hastily glancing through it. Lakin, Lakin ! 
Oh, yes, Lakin ; rather wandering and couldn’t 
remember names, but wanted me to tell any 
336 


AN INVESTIGATION 


337 


one that had the child Lonnie that she had 
given the papers and things the child’s mother 
gave her to her priest, Father O’Connor, of 
Holy Cross. Sorry she hadn’t done as she 
promised the child’s mother she would. Didn’t 
think the child’s mother was in her right 
senses, anyway; and I’m sure she wasn’t,” 
added the doctor energetically, shutting up his 
note-book. ‘‘ Nothing to it, you see, unless 
Father O’Brien, or whatever his name was, 
has the papers, if she ever gave him any.” 

Mr. Rowley next looked up Father O’Con- 
nor. After some trouble he managed to ex- 
plain his position, what he wanted, and why. 
Father O’Connor in his turn explained that 
Mrs. Lakin had been, for a short time, a mem- 
ber of his flock, and during that time she had 
given him some papers for safe-keeping. Then 
he went to look them up and see if any 
referred to the child in question. So while 
Mr. Rowley sat dolefully staring at a few 
framed photographs on the walls Father O’Con- 
nor searched through pigeon-hole after pigeon- 
22 


338 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


hole, and finally, with a satisfied grunt, placdd 
a small package on the table before Mr. Rowley. 

Then began one of the strangest experiences 
of Mr. Rowley’s life. He read unsuspiciously 
enough : 

To Whom it May Concern : — Will whom- 
soever takes charge of my daughter, Ruth Lon- 
nette Rowley, after my death communicate with 
her father, John Rowley, of Kansas City, Mo., 
or, in the event of his not being found, with 
her aunt and my sister, Lonnette Dessar, of 
Indianapolis. 

‘‘Ruth Dessar Rowley.” 

A curious faintness came over Mr. Rowley. 
He was not yet altogether strong. He read 
the odd but plain little document again. It 
was simple enough. Lonnie John’s little girl ! 
Then, almost crushing him, came the thought 
of John Rowley, heavy-hearted, worn out, and 
dying, faintly clinging to life because of that 
one thing — that little lost child ; and then of 
himself, strong and well off, and come direct 


AN INVESTIGATION 


339 


from that very little girl, having seen her 
bright and happy and well cared for, and yet 
had let John die without telling him of her! 
Oh, how could it have been! How could it 
happen ! He could not repress a groan. 

‘‘What is the matter?'’ Father O’Connor 
was at his side with a glass of water. 

“ The little girl is my brother’s child, and he 
died without knowing I had her safe.” 

The priest smiled. “ The thing for you to do 
is to be glad you have her safe. She was far 
from safe, I can assure you, with Mrs. Lakin.” 

Mr. Rowley felt that to be true, but the 
thought of his brother would not leave him. 
The only other papers were two letters, one 
from John Rowley to Ruth Dessar just previous 
to their marriage, and the other a letter written 
by Lonnette Dessar, the sister, when Lonnie 
was born. 

On his way home he kept wondering what 
they would all say to this strange news. Lonnie 
a Rowley I a real Rowley I John’s little girl! 
And with quite a bit of money, too, from John ; 


340 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


and cousin to Frank and Bennie. What would 
they all say ? 

When he reached home the family assembled 
in a great hurry to hear all the news, Lonnie, as 
usual, seating herself squarely in front of Mr. 
Bowley at close range so that she might miss 
nothing. 

‘‘Well, father,” said Frank, “was Lonnie’s 
father hung or was he a gravedigger ?” 

“Or — a was he a millionaire?” whispered 
Ted to Lonnie. 

Then something about Mr. Bowley’s face 
brought a sudden silence on the group. Mrs. 
Bowley moved uneasily and murmured, “Your 
father looks clean tuckered out, children, do be 
quiet.” 

“ Yes, I saw the thing through,” began Mr. 
Bowley, abruptly. “ No, I can’t make a long 
story of it. Lonnie’s mother’s name was Buth 
Dessar Bowley. Her father’s name was John 
Bowley, of Kansas City, Missouri; and her 
name is Buth Lonnette Bowley. She is your 
own cousin, Frank.” 


AN INVESTIGATION 


341 


Lonnie was staring with wide-open eyes. 
Then her face began to wrinkle. She jumped 
up from her seat with a convulsive sob and 
dashed through the circle out of the house. 

“For the land’s sake, Lonnie!” ejaculated 
Mrs. Rowley. 

“ What ails the child ?” said Mr. Rowley, in 
amazement, at the open door. 

Christmas !” and Frank whistled to relieve 
his feelings. 

You paralyzed her. Uncle Joe, for once in 
her life,” said Ted, half wistfully ; he knew he 
wasn’t a Rowley, but he wished he was. 

^‘Now, you all wait right here,” said Mr. 
Rowley, quietly. didn’t show good sense;” 
and he walked rapidly to the barn. He heard 
Lonnie sobbing in the hay-loft and went to 
her. 

^‘Lonnie, Lonnie, what is the matter?” he 
said, gently. 

'‘Oh, Uncle Joe!” and Lonnie threw her 
arms around his arm and gripped it tight. " I’m 
so glad I’m a Rowley ! I’m so glad ! And 


342 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


oh, Uncle Joe, I’m so afraid you are disap- 
pointed about me being a Rowley !” 

‘‘You poor child !” said Mr. Rowley. Then 
he stopped. “ I’m no talker at all, Lonnie, 
but I’m proud to have you a Rowley. I know 
that you are true as steel ; that you always will 
be ; that you are reliable to the backbone ; that 
you are a real Rowley !” I’m proud to call you 
a Rowley !” 

Lonnie’s sobs stopped, and she kissed him 
ecstatically. 

Lonnie’s return to the house was as triumph- 
ant as her exit had been depressed. “ There, 
Frank, I’m as much a Rowley as you are !” 

“ Come, now,” bristled up Mrs. Rowley. “ I’ve 
got an idea myself, and it’s a good one. Here’s 
Lonnie turned into a Rowley and regularly 
one of the family, and she’s done a heap for all 
of us finding father just in the nick of time; 
and let’s have a regular celebration. Joe, you 
were telling me John’s Ruth was born the tenth 
of August. Now, let’s set to and celebrate 
Lonnie’s being a Rowley then, and have a time, 


AN INVESTIGATION 


343 


and have all the folks she’s had to do with since 
she left — well, since she broke up last fall.” 

‘‘ Oh, goody !” squealed Lonnie. 

‘‘ There’ll be Brother Ben and his wife and 
Bennie Cook — ” 

And Jane Harding at the Home,” put in 
Mr. Rowley, enthusiastically. 

And Kate and Mary and that teacher, what- 
ever her name was — I’d like to have them,” 
said Lonnie. 

‘^And Miss Joyce,” said Mrs. Rowley. 

Yes, and Maggie ; I just must have Mag- 
gie,” added Lonnie. 

And then there’ll be people from here. The 
minister and the doctor and all the rest,” con- 
tinued Mrs. Rowley. 

''Good enough; we’ll do it! A regular 
doings like you can, Letty. I’ll get everything 
in shape for it !” Mr. Rowley slapped his knee 
determinedly. 

" And if it rains we can eat in the barn,” sug- 
gested Ted, laughingly. 

" Well, we could, Ted, really,” from Lonnie. 


344 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Couldn’t we, Uncle Joe? With the wagons 
out, and all trimmed up with oak branches and 
ferns and things, and the cool air blowing 
through, it would be lots prettier than in the 
house.” 

‘‘ That’s so, Lonnie. Splendid. If we don’t 
eat out here on the side lawn we’ll eat in the 
barn.” 

^‘Lawn’s good — eh?” whispered Frank to 
Ted. 

Yes, we’ll have Jane Harding, the matron. 
I meant to tell you, Lonnie, that among brother 
John’s things was a box like the one you told 
me you broke, and when John died I thought I 
would give it to you to give to the matron, as 
John gave her the other. You can do it when 
you go to invite her.” 

The talk about the festivity lasted a long 
time, until Mr. Rowley reminded the boys 
that the farm work had got to get a good start 
if there was going to be any such goings oh as 
that in the middle of August. 

Mr. Rowley was obliged to be very careful 


AN INVESTIGATION 


345 


about working in the heat, but he had been able 
to secure such good farm help, that he devoted 
(][uite a little of his time to Lonnie’s celebration. 
He had a secret feeling that John would have 
liked it, and that it might in some way help 
make up for his dying without knowing that 
Lonnie was safe. 

He drove to Boston that Lonnie might go 
with him and deliver her invitations. She 
went first to the Home. Kate let her in. 

‘‘Oh, Kate, I’ve come to invite you to a 
party ! And Mary, and that teacher— what’s 
her name?” 

' “ Miss West.” 

. “ Oh, yes, and the matron.” 

“ Are you crazy as ever ! Come in. You 
haven’t come back to stay, have you ?” 

‘ No, indeed ; I don’t mean to stay ! I’m 
fixed now ; I’ve been turned into a Rowley ! 
Where’s the matron ? I’ve got a present for her?” 

“ Another present ! Presents are good as far 
as they go, but you can’t give her back some- 
thing you S2)oiled once,” significantly. 


346 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


can pretty near do it/’ was the un- 
abashed answer. 

“ How do you do, Aunt Jane ! I’ve brought 
you another present.” 

‘^How do you do, Lonnie! You may sit 
down and talk a few minutes, if you have 
time.” 

Here’s the present,” said Lonnie, eagerly. 
“ Look at it now, won’t you ?” 

As the matron opened the package her face 
became suddenly very pale. Where did you 
get this, Lonnie?” she asked in a strained 
voice. 

'^Mr. Rowley was telegraphed to go out to 
Kansas City, Missouri, to Mr. John Rowley, 
and when he came back he brought this box, 
and he said I might give it to you, because I 
said it was just like the one of yours I broke.” 

^^And — Mr. — John — Rowley?” asked the 
matron, with difficulty. 

‘^He’s dead.” 

There was no sound in the room for a mo- 
ment. Some long-cherished hope had received 


AN INVESTIGATION 


347 


its death blow. As Lonnie stared nervously at 
the matron’s white face, rigid now from her 
stern effort to preserve her self-control, a keen, 
swift sense of the underlying note of the ma- 
tron’s life came to her. She remembered what 
Mr. Rowley had said in Kansas City, and she 
remembered particularly a long conversation 
she had heard one night between Mr. Rowley 
and his wife after she had gone to bed. 

“ You made a mistake,” she said abruptly, 
only half conscious of what was impelling her, 
just feeling that in this moment the only relief 
the matron could have must be the lifting of 
the blame from John Rowley’s shoulders to 
Jane Harding’s. 

He thought it was you who could not care. 
He was always lonesome, always heartsick, 
and no one ever loved him. I’m his little girl, 
and my mamma wasn’t kind to him. She 
wasn’t, she wasn’t, she wasn’t !” with a half sob. 

Though no one dreamed it, her father had 
become to her a very hero, and one calculated 
to rouse all the fierce, pitying affection her 


348 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


repressed little heart could give to one she 
thought of as loving, and silent, and hurt, and 
wronged, and forsaken. 

‘‘ His little girl murmured the matron. 

Yes, his little girl,” and Lonnie was really 
crying, and for some one beside herself. Here 
was some one who would rather hear about 
John Rowley, her father, than about any one 
else in the world, and she could speak, though 
no one else should ever hear her. 

Why didn’t you love him more ? Uncle Joe 
said everybody was always hurting his feelings, 
and he was brave and proud, and he couldn’t do 
anything but go away and wait and keep quiet. 
And he looked for me always, but couldn’t find 
me. Nothing went right. Well,” dabbing at 
her face, I came to ask you to a party I’m to 
have, on my birthday, the tenth of August, 
because they’ve found I’m a Rowley ; and I want 
Kate and Mary to come, and Miss West to 
come. You will, won’t you?” 

Come here, dear — there, kneel down there, 
so I can see your face.” She took the pretty little 


AN INVESTIGATION 


349 


face between her hands and gazed earnestly at 
it. I don t know — no — I don’t see much of 
John Rowley in it; though there always was 
something about the eyes— well.” The matron 
kissed the little face. You will love me, won’t 
you, dear ?” she said, gently. Yes, yes, we will 
all come to your party. There, no more now. 
You must go. There — good-by.” 

The rest of the invitations were given that 
day, and that night Miss Joyce said smilingly 
to Maggie : “ Maggie, you and I are invited to 

a party together.” 

‘‘For mercy’s sake !” stammered Maggie. 

“ Fact, Maggie. It has turned out that Lonnie, 
that perfectly lovely little flutter-budget, is the 
niece of the people she is living with, the Row- 
leys, and she is to have a party to celebrate the 
discovery of the fact, and she has invited both 
of us. And what is more, Maggie, we are both 
going. I mean to drive you out there myself.” 

“ For mercy’s sake !” smiled Maggie. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 




A REAL ROWLEY 

There was no sign of rain on the tenth of 
August. Early morning found the Rowleys all 
agog for the great celebration. The floor 
of the barn had been cleared of everything 
movable. The huge east and west double doors 
had been flung clear back and the fragrant 
breeze swept through like a benediction. The 
boys had brought a wagon load of fresh-smelling 
branches, and banks of damp ferns and moss 
made the place look like a forest green-house. 
Mrs. Rowley had secured a safe place for her 
cold dishes, and had it packed with ice, and there 
the boys deposited their freezers after Mrs. Row- 
ley had satisfied herself that the ice-cream had 
come.” 

Those cold dishes! How Mrs. Rowley and 
Lonnie had gloated over their preparation — 
350 


A REAL ROWLEY 


351 


Lonnie all ecstatic admiration, Mrs. Eowley all 
righteous pride. 

Mr. Rowley had taken a world of interest in it 
all, praising Mrs. Rowley’s skill as a cook until 
she looked five years younger. Then when she 
heard Frank vigorously asserting to Ted that 
there wasn’t a woman in the world that could cook 
like his mother, she went to work then and there 
and made a most astonishing concoction calcu- 
lated to rejoice the inner man or boy, and then, 
hesitatingly, but without actually fiinching, she 
wrote on a slip of paper, ‘‘For my good son, 
Frank, from his loving mother,” and deposited 
the whole thing under the chip-basket in the 
woodshed, where Frank would be sure to find 
it. Find it he did, and after reading the paper, 
with a flushing face and an uneasy glance to see 
that he was not observed, he put the paper in his 
pocket and then called Ted and Lonnie to come 
share his feast. Lonnie brought Bennie, and a 
try all around induced them to set aside a meager 
portion for Mr. Rowley before the persuasive 
delicacy of flavor should prove too much for them. 


352 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


Mother, that was the best stuff I ever ate,’^ 
he said, emphatically, and added, with a frank 
smile, not yet a very frequent thing between 
him and his step-mother, and I liked the read- 
ing better yet/’ 

My sakes, Frank, but you’re going to have 
the same taking sort of way your father has !” 
exclaimed Mrs. Rowley ; and she knew of no 
more substantial praise. 

Before the first guest arrived the long tables 
constructed for the occasion were covered with 
their fine linen and made to look exceedingly 
inviting by the vases of cool-looking sprinkled 
ferns. Through the great doors toward the 
west one could see the long slope of meadow 
down to the grove where the brook ran, and 
through the great doors toward the east one 
could see the elms and walnut and jDine trees 
around the house, which, with its clean white- 
ness and green shutters and shady vines, had 
long seemed to Lonnie the ideal of architectural 
beauty. 

Mr. Rowley, in the unaccustomed leisure of 


A REAL ROWLEY 


353 


this week-day, was walking slowly from one 
point to another looking out over his farm, as 
fine a farm as any in the State, thinking over 
this and that, and not a little of Lonnie. 

‘‘Lonnie^s been a regular mascot in this 
family,’^ he thought. ‘‘Things aren^t much 
like a year ago. I would scarcely know 
Frank was the same boy.” He stopped with a 
pleased smile on his face listening to sounds of 
laughter from the room over the dining-room 
that had been handed over to Frank and Ted 
together. Then he heard the boys come run- 
ning down stairs and watched them as they came 
out on the porch. Frank, boy as he was, 
carried himself with a certain dignity of man- 
ner that became him well, and was, as Mr. 
Rowley thought, “ all Rowley.” And Ted, 
still the philosopher, but a much more robust 
and better fed and better satisfied philosopher 
than formerly, his quiet, pleasant face very 
ready to respond to the humor of any situation, 
followed Frank out, suggesting that they prac- 
tice up on the r6le appointed them of general 
23 


354 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


utility men. Mr. Rowley had bought both the 
boys new suits for the occasion, and his face 
glowed with satisfaction as he called them and 
saw them coming toward him. ‘‘ Claithes mak’ 
a differ,’’ he thought, and Frank such a Row- 
ley ; just cut out for a first-class farmer, a man 
to depend on and to be a power in the district ; 
just the man for the Legislature, too,” he 
thought, almost laughing at his own enjoyment 
of the notion. ‘‘And Ted now — born for 
books and such like; couldn’t make a farmer 
of him in a thousand years, nor a business man 
either; just the kind of a boy for college; and 
he shall go, too, unless I’m mightily mistaken 
in either him or myself.” 

The boys stopped and looked back toward 
the house; out on the porch came Lonnie with 
Bennie. Bennie, fat, sturdy, yellow-haired and 
smiling, all the glory of his fresh white dress 
hidden under a clean blue apron. 

“ Just look at Bennie !” called Lonnie, “ isn’t 
he just the nicest baby !” and she stopped to 
give him a tremendous hug and kiss, which he 


A REAL ROWLEY 


355 


returned with interest. Lonnie to him was the 
very spice of life. All manner of happiness 
could always be found in her society. 

“ Bennie’s just worth his weight in gold,” 
thought Mr. Bowley, proudly, and then he 
looked at Lonnie again. John’s little girl ! And 
such a pretty little girl ! Her cheeks like wild 
roses, her eyes snapping with fun under their 
long eyelashes, her curly hair flashing out all 
sorts of little bronze and gold gleams with 
every motion. Oh, but she was pretty ; her 
pink dress and white apron, costume of her own 
choosing, seemed to be the one arraying above 
all others that she would look her prettiest in. 

‘‘ Oh, Uncle Joe ! See Bennie ! and he said, 
‘ Mo’ man, mo’ lady, mo’ boy.’ He knows all 
about my party !” 

'' Mo’ man ?” began Bennie. 

Yes, dear.” 

‘‘Mo’ lady ?” 

“ Yes, more lady.” 

“Mo’ bo— ee?” 

“ Yes, more boy. 


856 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘ Papa down town ?” 

‘‘No, Frank’s going. Oh, Frank, why don’t 
you hurry !” 

“Shall I go now, father?” said Frank. 

“Yes. You won’t have to wait long now. 
Drive carefully, Frank.” 

“ All right. Come on, Ted !” 

And away they went with the spring wagon 
to the station to meet the Cooks and the Home 
delegation. Not long after they had gone Mrs. 
Rowley bustled out on the porch and sat down, 
with Bennie in easy reach, that she might whip 
off his apron at the first sound of wheels. 

The sound came so soon, and Mrs. Rowley 
was so pleased at the sight of Miss Joyce’s rig, 
that she hurried down to the road forgetting all 
about Bennie ; and it was not until after Miss 
Joyce had been talking on the porch for some 
moments, and Maggie had gone with Lonnie to 
see the barn preparations, that Mrs. Rowley 
thought of the apron. By that time more 
friends had come, and, finally, when the boys’ 
load from the station came laughing up the 


A KEAL ROWLEY 


357 


road, the apron would still have been in evi- 
dence if Lonnie had not uncovered the young 
man’s shining apparel Bennie Cook was un- 
loaded and gave himself over to the ecstacy of 
seeing Lonnie. The matron kissed Lonnie 
affectionately, while Kate and Marv nudged 
each other at the sight ; and they themselves 
greeted her with the same good-natured non- 
chalance that always characterized them. 

Lonnie hasn’t grown any homelier, sure,” 
said Mr. Cook to Mr. Kowley. 

No,” laughing, not much.” 

The minister and the doctor and the Gates’ 
and all the other friends were soon there, and 
the festivity began in earnest. The barn was 
deliciously cool and appetites were precisely in 
condition most adapted to Mrs. Kowley’s 
culinary efforts. If. ever people were beguiled 
by salads and pates and fish this and fish that, 
and chicken this and chicken that, and the 
notable side dishes for which Mrs. Kowley had 
in times past been justly famed, those people 
were; and when it came to creamy concoc- 


358 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


tions destined to melt in the mouth, ‘‘just triflin’ 
things,” as Mrs. E-owley said, and to the apotheo- 
ses of cakes, and to the ice-cream, the guests, 
without hesitation, pronounced the verdict that 
Mrs. Rowley had cast Delmonico wholly and 
completely into the shade. “Where Fd like to 
he a day like this,” murmured Ted to Frank. 

“This feast,” said Mr. Rowley, rising, as the 
cake and so forth course was in progress, “is in 
celebration of the birthday of my niece, Ruth 
Lonnette Rowley, only child of my brother, 
John Rowley, whom many of you knew in his 
early manhood. That Lonnie had been with 
us before we knew this, you are all aware. 
That she should have been brought to us seems 
one of the wonderful Providences of God. And 
I want to say right here, that even if we had 
not known she was our blood relation, she was 
to have been one of our family for always. She 
has been the life of our house since she came, 
and has brought us more good and happiness 
than we could ever repay, and I want to say right 
here — I’m proud and glad she’s a Rowley !” 


A REAL ROWLEY 


359 


The applause following this effort was pro- 
longed. The speech-making ball had been set 
rolling; everybody made a speech and none 
fell on unresponsive hearts. 

I think I shall have to speak for my son/' 
said Mr. Cook, as he can't speak for himself, 
and yet I am sure no one here could have more 
to say as to Lonnie's virtues and graces than 
he could. However, on the whole, you may 
look at him if you will, his speech is in his 
eyes." 

Everybody looked at once at Bennie Cook, to 
see him gazing at Lonnie with the most rapt 
expression, a goodly piece of cake in one hand 
and the other grasping Lonnie's apron. 

‘‘We have heard of a good many things to 
Lonnie's credit to-day," said Miss Joyce, “but 
the thing that we are all in a mood to appreci- 
ate is that she helped get up this dinner." 

“ Indeed," said Mrs. Eowley, heartily glad to 
see a chance for her speech on a familiar sub- 
ject, “ Lonnie's going to make a splendid cook !" 
and the applause was redoubled. 


860 


AN ODD LITTLE LASS 


‘‘My speech shall be practical/’ said the 
doctor. “Lonnie can just come and talk it 
over with me Tvhen she wants to study medi- 
cine.” 

“Oh, my!” exclaimed Lonnie, a flash of 
gratitude in her eyes as she looked at the 
doctor. 

“ Speech, Frank !” called some one. 

“ Oh, now,” said Frank, rising, “ I can’t be 
expected to pile this agony up any further, but 
I will say I don’t half mind having Lonnie for 
a cousin I” Then he and Lonnie and Ted broke 
into a sudden fi-resistible laugh that carried 
everybody with it, without any one’s knowing 
precisely why. 

“ Come, Ted I” smiled Mr. Rowley. 

“ Since Lonnie has turned into a Rowley she 
doesn’t really need anything else,” said he, 
promptly, “ but I’m glad she’s, had the luck. 
I’m sure myself if I had a chance to live in this 
world more times I would choose to be a Row- 
ley — first, last, and all the time.” 

More applause, and then as there seemed to 


A REAL ROWLEY 


361 


be no one who had not made a speech the 
doctor called out Lonnie. 

“ Oh/’ said she, cheerfully, her bright little 
face all smiles, I’ll just say that I’m the glad- 
dest person alive to belong to Uncle Joe, and 
AuiTt Letty, and Bennie, and Ted ” — with a 
determined glance at Ted — and I don’t half 
mind, either, being cousin to Frank.” 

And so ended, as things will, the great 
feast, and Lonnie was fairly installed as a real 
Bowley and became known as one of the family 
in all the country round about. 


THE END 







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‘V“ilf.1 


Comrades True 

OR 

PERSEVERANCE VS. GENIUS 

By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. 

Author of ‘‘Among the Esquimaux,” 
“The Campers Out,” etc. 

320 Pages Illustrated 

Cloth, ;^i.25 

In following the career of two friends from youth to 
tnanhood, this popular author weaves a narrative of 
intense and at times thrilling interest. One of the boys 
Is endowed with brilliant talents, is quick and impulsive, 
but after a few efforts is easily discouraged. The other 
possessing only ordinary ability, is resolute and persever- 
ing, overcoming all obstacles in his path until success is 
attained. 

This story possesses the usual exciting and intere&..ng 
experiences that occur in the lives of all bright and active 
youths. In point of incident it is rather more than 
ordinarily realistic, as the two heroes in their experiences 
pass through the recent calamitous forest fires in northern 
Minnesota, and barely escape with their lives. 

The perusal of this story will not only prove fascinating, 
but its teaching will encourage young men to depend for 
success in life upon patience and perseverance in right 
paths, rather than upon great natural gifts, real or fancied. 

Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt 
of price. 

The Penn Publishing Company 

933 Arch Street, Philadelphia 



Among the Esquimaux 

OR, 

Adventures Under the Arctic Circle 

By Edward S. Ellis, Ac M. 
Author of “ The Campers Out,” Etc 
317 pages Illustrated 

Cloth, $1.25 

The incidents of this interesting 
story are laid in Greenland amid the 
snows, the glaciers, and the barren 
regions which have engaged the at- 
tention of explorers and navigators 

for centuries past. 

The main interest of the story centres about two 
bright boys whose desire for discovery sometimes leads 
them into dangerous positions. They visit an iceberg, 
and, while making a tour about it, their boat slips away 
from her moorings. After a number of adventures, they 
are finally rescued by a native Esquimau. With him 
and an old sailor who accompanied them them to the ice- 
berg, they go on a hunting expedition into the interior 
of Greenland, and there they have a number of most 
thrilling and exciting experiences, but none result seri- 
ously, and the whole party is eventually restored to home 
and friends. 

The story is sure to prove interesting to any reader, 
and the moral tone pervading it is such as will meet the 
approval of all parents. 

Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt 
of price. 

The Penn Publishing Company 

923 Arch Street, Philadelphia 



The Campers Out 


OR 


The Right Path and the Wrong 


By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. 
Author of Among the Esqui- 



maux,” ^‘Comrades True,” etc. 
363 pages Illustrated 


Illustrated 



This is one of the most interesting 
works of an author whose productions 
[are widely read and deservedly popu- 
lar on both sides of the Atlantic. Mr. 
Ellis has in perfection the faculty of 


making his stories not only entertaining in the highest 
degree but instructing and elevating. A leading journal 
truthfully stated that no mother need hesitate to place any 
story of which Mr. Ellis is the author in the hands of her 
boy, for he is sure to be instructed as well as entertained. 

“ The Campers Out ” is bright, breezy, and full of ad- 
venture of just the right sort to hold the attention of any 
young mind. It is clean, pure, and elevating, and the 
stirring incidents with which it is filled convey one of 
the most forceful of morals. It traces the “ right path ” 
and the “ wrong path ” of several boys with such strik- 
ing power that old and young will be alike impressed 
by the faithful portrayal of character, and be interested 
from beginning to end by the succession of exciting in- 
cidents. 

Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt 
of price 


The Penn Publishing Company 

923 Arch Street, Philadelphia 


Andy’s Ward 

OR 

THE INTERNATIONAL 
MUSEUM 

By James Otis 

Author of “ The Braganza Diamond,” 
“ Chasing a Yacht,” etc. 

358 Pages Illustrated 

Cloth, ^1.25 

A peculiarly fascinating narrative of the life and ex- 
periences of “ Museum Marvels.” They dwell in a house 
owned by a sword-swallower, whose wife, the ‘^Original 
Circassian,” is entrusted with its management. But one 
of the company, a dwarf, nicknamed the ‘‘ Major,” insists 
upon taking charge, and the rest of the household, including 
a fat lady, a giant, and a snake-charmer, stand more in 
awe of him than of the owner of the house or his wife. 

Two boys, Andy and Jerry, are emplo)^ed to wait upon 
this queerly assorted family. Their troubles with the dwarf 
and his pets, during which the boys are aided and coun- 
selled by the giant, make up the lighter portion of the story. 

A tiny girl, who is even more of a dwarf than the 

Major,” is introduced to the household by Andy, who 
claims her as his ward, by virtue of a promise made to her 
brother when he was dying. 

The private life of the marvels, their amusements, their 
wrangles, especially the laughable encounters between the 

Giant ” and the “ Major,” form a most interesting story. 

Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt 
of price. 

The Penn Publishing Company 

923 Arch Street, Philadelphia 



Chasing a Yacht 

By James Otis 
Author of 

‘‘ The Braganza Diamond/’ ‘^Andy’s 
Ward,” etc. 

350 pages Illustrated 

Cloth, $1.25 

Two boys have engaged to run a 
steam yacht for the double purpose 
of pleasure and profit, and after care- 
fully fitting her up they launch her, only to find the next 
morning that she is gone — stolen — as they later discover, 
by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest 
in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in 
an attempt to recapture the steamer are themselves 
made prisoners. It is the intention of the thieves to 
hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson River is 
reached and then put them ashore, but their plans mis- 
carry owing to the intervention of two rather rough 
citizens who find their way aboard the yacht and make 
themselves generally at home. Fortunately one of the 
owners manages to effect his escape, and gaining the 
assistance of the authorities the little vessel is speedily 
restored to them. 

The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both 
bright and manly fellows, who make the best of their 
temporary hardships. The story will be found to enlist 
the interest at the outset, and to hold it until the last 
page is turned. 

Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt 
of price. 

The Penn Publishing Company 

933 Arch Street, Philadelphia 





The Braganza Diamond 

By James Otis 
Author of 

Chasing a Yacht,” Andy’s 
Ward,” etc. 

383 pages Illustrated 

Cloth, I1.25 

Long before the opening events of 
this story the fragments of this cele- 
brated gem are supposed to have 
been taken from a wreck by an old sea captain, and 
secreted by him on a lonely island in Roanoke Sound. 

This aged captain, now quite feeble, sends for his niece 
and her daughter. They invite two bright boys to 
accompany them, and engaging a steam launch the four, 
in company with the owner — a trusty sailor — set out for 
the lonely island. Arriving there they are distressed at 
finding the captain already dead. To add to their dis- 
comfort they also discover that the former owners of the 
diamond have appeared upon the scene. The little party 
is forcibly made prisoner, and their captors demand that 
they forthwith produce the precious stone. This, of 
course, they are unable to do, but discovering among 
the old captain’s effects a curious cryptogram, they are 
led to hope that its solution may reveal the secret hiding 
place of the diamond, and thus restore to them their 
freedom. This theory eventually proves correct, but not 
until after the party has endured many hardships, and 
passed through many exciting experiences. 

Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt 
of price. 

The Penn Publishing Company 

923 Arch Street, Philadelphia 














